Putin to Take Concrete Steps to Support Turkish Cyprus

Russian President Vladimir Putin said economic isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be ended. Putin has signaled for concrete steps to be taken in this regard.

Russian President hosting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an "honorary guest" in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi noted, the "meaningless" embargo imposed on TRNC must be lifted and his country will have direct contacts with both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot societies on the island. The two leaders emphasized their opinions overlapped on many issues. "The first thing we must do is to solve the problem of economic isolation on one part of the island, to create conditions for establishing normal links between the island's two parts and, to lay a foundation for exhaustive normalization in the interests of all residents of the island," Putin remarked. The Russian news agency Interfax quoted Putin as, expressing Russian support for Annan's initiative by saying, "We are absolutely convinced that the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan is moving in the right direction."

Putin reassured Russia would begin ties with both the Greek and Turkish Cyprus. His announcements indicate Russia vetoing Annan's report against the Greek Cypriot side in 2004 would concretely change its policy regarding Cyprus issue. Yet, what kind of steps Russia possessing $40 billions in southern Cyprus thanks to businessmen would take is wondered.

The Turkish Prime Minister also expressed pleasure for the Russian support for current Annan policies. The two leaders took a walk around Putin's summerhouse after a breakfast meeting. At a news conference later, they touched upon the significance of mutual relations. Putin reported he had listened to Erdogan's opinions on Iraq and Iran as both leaders expressed mutual agreement on several international issues. The Russian President underlined that they had also discussed Erdogan's point of view on providing security and cooperation in the Black Sea.

On Putin's conviction for the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Erdogan said, "We don't want a world dominated by hostility." Putin pointing out they had met with Erdogan four times within the last seven months said, their meeting passed in a sincere atmosphere.

The Russian President also emphasized they discussed about not only exporting natural gas and oil to Turkey but also putting into practice many projects in the energy field to develop bilateral economic relations. The two leaders promised support for developing relations between Turkey and Russia.

Russian Investors to Participate in Privatization

Mustafa Unal, Mirza Cetinkaya
Published: Wednesday July 20, 2005
zaman.com

The three billion dollar cooperation agreement that Russian Alfa Group will sign with Cukurova Group for Turkcell was discussed during the meeting of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi Monday.

Putin asked Erdogan for political support. Both leaders agreed on increasing trade the volume to $25 billion within three years. Replying to journalists' questions after the talks, the Russian President said, "If the Turkish government creates the right conditions, Alfa Group is ready to invest over $3 billion in the near future. Of course, when people want to carry out plans on such a scale, they strive for political support and guarantees. Russian companies intend to participate in the privatization process in the iron and steel industry. Investments will possibly surpass $100 million." The Russian leader also clarified that his fourth meeting with Erdogan in seven months proves they are on good terms.

Dual trade investments, new projects on oil pipelines and the issue of energy were examined. The transportation of Russian gas to regional countries through new lines is aimed. The trade volume between the two countries reached $11 billion with a 60 percent increase in 2004. Russia is still Turkey's second partner in imports and a seventh partner in exports.

According to Putin both parties have all requirements to increase the trade volume up to $25 billion. He drew attention to the marketing of the Russian natural gas through the Blue Stream Project to the third world countries. "We have many joint projects on energy for the future. These projects came on the agenda during our negotiations. We have to increase the Blue Stream to 16 billion cubic meters in a year," Putin added. Observing that they negotiated the constructions of the new pipelines on various directions in detail, the Russian leader also noted that Turkish investments in Russia stand at about $1.5 billion and Russian investments in Turkey at only $200-300 million. He stated, "But we are ready to expand our activities. We hope that the Turkish government and leader of the parliament do everything that they can to ensure an increase in Russian capital investments in Turkey." The Turkish Prime Minister also confirmed that they aimed to increase the trade volume with Russia to $25 billion for the coming years and they will sincerely work towards achieving that. Thanking Putin for his interest in vegetable and fruit exports, Erdogan said, both countries had a desire to attain the target set in economic and commercial areas. The Turkish Prime Minister voiced his gratitude for Russian tourists which make the second largest group of visitors to Turkey.

Bargaining on natural gas to continue

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they evaluated the Blue Stream Project and related ministries and institutions will continue to work on the issue.

Upon a question whether the two leaders talked about natural gas prices, Erdogan did not reveal anything about the prices. "We evaluated the Blue Stream Project during our meeting. Related ministries and institutions will continue their efforts on the issue." The Turkish Prime Minister also pointed out that the Turkish government guaranteed to support Russia's membership for the World Trade Organization (WTO). "Commercial relations between Turkey and Russia will be carried into a more different position upon Russia's WTO membership at a Hong Kong meeting later this year. We continue our support. The Blue Stream's annual capacity is 16 billion cubic meters at the moment. What we draw off is about 4.7 billion cubic meters gas. Therefore, we have the capacity to use this amount of gas. Our efforts to direct the natural gas arriving in Ankara via the Blue Stream to the South is one of the most significant issues. Political decisions are also taken due to the requirements of these efforts," Erdogan added.

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