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Erdogan secured a narrow win in a referendum on constitutional changes to give the president sweeping new powers earlier last month [Xinhua]
Ties between Russia and Turkey have stabilised since a failed military coup in July. US-Turkey ties have, on the other hand, deteriorated with disagreements over US support for a Kurdish militia group fighting Islamic State in Syria.
Earlier this year, Erdogan praised the two countries’ friendship, saying it is “strong enough to overcome their differences”.
Russian gas exports to Turkey grew by 26% in January-April 2017, to reach 10.5 billion cubic meters, according to data released by the government ahead of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkey.
In January-March 2017, trade between Russia and Turkey grew by 14.6% as compared with the same period last year and reached $4.1 billion.
The two countries are also developing cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. Russian specialists are taking part in the construction of the $22 billion Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey.
“Currently, work is being done to prepare the beginning of construction works and attract private Turkish investors to the project,” a Russian government press release said on Monday.
Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in Syria’s war, co-brokered a ceasefire in December that helped reduce the scale of fighting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition.
They also supported multiple rounds of talks this year between the government and the rebels
Medvedev arrived in Istanbul on Sunday evening. He will represent Russia at a meeting of the heads of state and government of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) due to be held on May 22.
Greek and Ukrainian Presidents are also attending the summit.
TBP and Agencies
