Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

The first meeting between Russia and Turkey after the tensions in relations due to the downed Russian plane incident took place at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg on August 9.

A closed-door meeting of presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan started in St. Petersburg with a handshake.

Addressing the meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that relations between Turkey and Russia have moved to a positive direction.

Previously, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey said that during the visit Russia and Turkey will discuss the possibility of discount on the supplied Russian gas,adding that this issue is on the agenda for a long time.

The ministry also noted that apart from the issue of gas prices the sides will discuss major energy projects such as the construction of gas pipeline Turkish Stream and NPP Akkuyu.

Ankara could unfreeze the project of Russian gas pipeline Turkish Stream, adding that currently this issue is under consideration, whilst the exact timing of defrosting the project still remains unknown, the Ministry reported.

In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that relations between Russia and Turkey after the SU-24 incident and Turkish president’s visit to Russia indicated to resumption of the dialogue.

Moreover, Putin noted that he intends to discuss the whole range of relations with Erdogan, including the fight against terrorism, and economic ties.

“It is our principled position,” Putin said, in regard to the coup attempt. “We are always categorically opposed to any attempts at anti-constitutional activity. I want to express the hope that under your leadership the Turkish people will deal with this, and justice and legality will prevail.”

Russian president expressed support to Turkey in overcoming the crisis after the July 15 coup attempt and added that he was one of those first to call Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This is Erdogan’s first visit to Russia after the crisis in the two countries’ relations and also after the attempted military coup in Turkey.

Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak, Minister of Culture and Tourism Nabi Avci, Minister of Transport, Shipping and Communications Ahmet Arslan and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek.

On the Russian side in the extended negotiation format participates Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who overseas foreign policy, Russia's ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, Energy Minister and head of the intergovernmental commission on trade-economic cooperation Alexander Novak, Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev, the Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov, the head of Gazprom Alexei Miller, the chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, President's Special Representative on the Syrian settlement, Alexander Lavrentyev.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz