Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on Friday to strengthen energy and economic cooperation after meeting in Sochi, Russia, on the Black Sea coast, the Kremlin said in a statement, AFP reported.

The leaders of the two countries agreed to “strengthen trade” between their countries and “meet mutual expectations in the field of economy and energy,” the message said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes his meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Friday will open a new “page in their relations”, while the Kremlin leader expressed hope for an agreement to strengthen economic cooperation with Turkey, AFP and Reuters reported.

The leader of Ankara said that he will also discuss with Putin the development of events in Syria, where Turkey wants to launch a military operation against the Kurdish armed forces, Agerpres notes.

Putin thanked Erdogan for the agreement with Ukraine

The head of the Kremlin thanked the President of Turkey for his efforts, which made it possible to reach an agreement between Moscow and Ukraine regarding the supply of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports.

“Thanks to your direct participation and the mediation of the UN Secretariat, the issue of Ukrainian grain supplies from the Black Sea ports has been resolved. The supplies have already begun, and I want to thank you,” Putin said.

He also emphasized Ankara’s role in the transit of Russian gas to Europe through the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.

“European partners should be grateful to Turkey for ensuring uninterrupted transit of Russian gas,” said the Russian President.

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