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Russia is ready for comprehensive strategic cooperation with Turkey, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, in Moscow on Friday.
Medvedev said the two countries would adhere to a common stance on bolstering the security of the Caucasus and Black Sea regions, emphasizing that both Moscow and Ankara were interested in guaranteeing regional security.
"We absolutely concur on how this security will be ensured," the Russian president said.
He noted that Russia backed Turkey`s recent proposal seeking to promote peace in the turbulent region, adding that there were opportunities to enact these programs.
Following a brief Russia-Georgia war in 2008, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered to establish a union, called the Caucasus Peace and Cooperation Platform, in an effort to foster cooperation among Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Turkey. Azerbaijan earlier expressed its support for the initiative.
Medvedev indicated that forces outside the region were to blame for instigating a military conflict that flared up with Georgia in August 2008.
"We can solve our problems without the involvement of outside forces. We see no need for the interference of third countries with the solution of problems facing the Caucasus region."
Further, Medvedev emphasized that Russia was successfully cooperating with Turkey in the fields of tourism, energy, transport and industry. Bilateral trade turnover surged 35 times in the past decade to reach $34 billion.
The Turkish leader, for his part, said Ankara was attaching great importance to its relations with Moscow. He added that the Russian-Turkish commodities turnover could rise to $50 billion in the foreseeable future.
Presidents Medvedev and Gul signed a joint declaration on friendship and partnership at the conclusion of the talks. The document said Moscow and Ankara intended to develop military-technical cooperation and speed resolution of problems that could potentially arise in this area.
The two countries also described as pivotal the efficient work of the inter-governmental commission dealing with military and defense industry collaboration.
Touching on the political importance of the signed declaration, President Medvedev stressed that it was much more than a formal document. "This declaration will serve as a basis for deepening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of foreign policy, trade, economic relations and humanitarian aid."

Nuclear power deals
Russia may sign an agreement to build four nuclear reactors in Turkey as the two countries continue discussing a power supply agreement worth $60 billion. Moscow is close to securing the deal, according to Russia`s energy minister.
Sergei Shmatko told journalists that the nuclear reactors would have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts each and that the total cost of the project would be between $18 billion and $20 billion, Reuters reported.
Shmatko was speaking after meeting Turkish President Gul, who discussed energy issues during his visit to Moscow last week. Ankara is keen to push through energy projects that would boost Turkey`s role in the region.
Shmatko said Russia`s proposal had been selected by the Turkish government over several rival bids. The contract would involve the construction of the reactors and participation in their operation.
He also said Russia and Turkey were in discussions over a long-term contract on electricity supplies, the local Interfax news agency reported.
"The volume of the contract for the supply of electricity from Russia to Turkey is valued at $60 billion over 15 years," Shmatko said.
LUKOIL, Russia`s largest independent oil company, also plans to invest $400 million in Turkey over the next decade, Chief Executive Vagit Alekperov said this month. LUKOIL agreed last year to buy Turkish fuel distributor Akpet.

Gas supplies
By 2010, the volume of Russian gas supplies to Turkey will exceed 30 billion cubic meters, Russian State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov has told Turkish President Gul.
Russia and Turkey are linked by the Blue Stream natural gas pipeline, which passes under the Black Sea.
Gryzlov said Russia had done its best to ensure gas supplies to Turkey during the "gas crisis" in January, when daily supplies through the Blue Stream pipeline increased from 22 to 48 million cubic meters.
He added that the two countries had achieved great progress in tourism cooperation, as 2.5 million Russians went to Turkey for holidays in 2008.
Gul said, for his part, that Russia was the "number one partner" for Turkey. "We have the relationship of good neighbors," he said.
The Turkish president pointed to the uniqueness of the Blue Stream pipeline and spoke of its effective use.