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Presidents of Turkey and Russia sign joint strategic Declaration

13 February 2009 14:18 (UTC +04:00)

A source in the Kremlin said the Declaration was a strategic document, which set the level reached in bilateral cooperation and outlined tasks for further development of the relations. Dmitry Medvedev said at the joint press conference that the Declaration was a political document.
â€œThis is not an ordinary form or a framework, the relations in foreign policy, economic, commercial and humanitarian areas will be realized basing on this document,â€ he said.
Russian president said in the past 10 years the trade turnover between the two countries had increased by 35 times and in 2008 reached $34 billion. Abdullah Gul underlined that the trade turnover might soon reach $50 billion. The Declaration also envisages simplification of visa procedures for the entrepreneurs of the two countries.

Abdullah Gul also met with chairman of Russian Federation Council Sergey Mironov. He noted that Russia was the biggest partner of Turkey in foreign trade. Abdullah Gul said Russia supplied two thirds of Turkeyâ€™s gas and a third of oil. He also noted that exportation of Turkish goods to Russia had reduced because of the customs-related problems. Russiaâ€™s Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said Russia could sign $60 billion-contract on the construction of nuclear power plant and the field of electricity.
â€œWe are participating in the tender for the construction of nuclear power plant in Turkey. Other participants have almost quitted. Turkey is satisfied with our proposals technologically,â€ he said.
Shmatko said the nuclear power plant project covered 12 years and the construction of 4 energy blocks would cost $18-20 billion.

Abdullah Gul will leave Moscow for Kazan and stay in Tatarstan for two days.