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.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir PutinPhoto: Vyacheslav Prokofiev / Sputnik / Profimedia

Following “very productive” political and economic discussions between the two countries’ delegations, Erdogan said his meeting with Putin in Sochi, southern Russia, would “open a completely different page” in bilateral relations.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would discuss with his Russian counterpart, in particular, developments in Syria, where Turkey wants to launch a military operation against Kurdish militias it believes are linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“The discussion on this development of events in Syria will allow to defuse the tension in the region. Our solidarity in the fight against terrorism is very important,” Erdogan emphasized.

The Turkish leader wants to be sure that Akkuyu NPP will be ready on time

Speaking with the Russian president ahead of their talks in Sochi, the Turkish head of state also said he wanted to make sure the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant by the Russian company Rosatom in southern Turkey would follow a “fixed calendar”. in circumstances where litigation may cause delays to this project.

For his part, Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he hopes to sign an agreement to strengthen economic cooperation with Turkey.

“I hope that today we will be able to sign a memorandum on strengthening our economic and trade ties,” Putin said, according to statements broadcast by Russian television.

Putin thanked Erdogan for the agreement with Ukraine

The head of the Kremlin thanked the President of Turkey for the efforts that 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.