Tatarstan President takes part in talks between Russian and Turkish leaders

On December 1, in Ankara, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov attended an extended meeting of the High-Level Council on Russia-Turkey Cooperation chaired by the Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Turkey’ President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During their meeting the leaders reached agreements on a number of issues. Thus, Russian and Turkish governments will put forward proposals on stimulating trade and investments, expanding cooperation in the sphere of advanced technology and agriculture.

“We have agreed with Mr. Erdogan that our governments will work out certain measures to promote mutual trade flows,” Putin said at the press-conference following the talks.

The Russian President noted that the energy sector is an important area for bilateral cooperation. “Our relations in the energy sector have raised to strategic level,” he added.

Putin said that Russia is the largest fuel exporter to the Turkish market, supplying not only gas, but significant amounts of oil and oil products.

Speaking at the press-conference, Erdogan said that trade turnover between the two countries would reach 100 billion US dollars by 2020.

According to the Head of Turkey, in 2013 trade turnover between the two countries amounted to 32 billion US dollars, while Russia and Turkey will expand trade in their national currencies.

"We believe that expansion of trade in our national currencies is very important. We will do our best to strive for it, and will encourage work of relevant financial institutions both in Turkey and Russia,” Putin said.