President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, paying a working visit to Russia, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on August 5, 2022.
Noting that the delegations of the two countries had very fruitful meeting in Türkiye, President Erdoğan said that the bilateral meeting in Sochi is of great importance in terms of demonstrating the role Türkiye and Russia play in the region.
President Erdoğan underlined the importance of solidarity between Türkiye and Russia in the fight against terrorism and added that their talks will help them take stronger steps on the issue.
Touching upon the ongoing works related to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant as well, President Erdoğan stressed that it is of critical importance for the construction of the Akkuyu NPP to continue in line with the prescribed timeline considering that the plant is expected to supply 10% of Türkiye’s energy need.
President Putin of Russia, for his part, thanked President Erdoğan for his contributions to the shipment of Ukrainian grains from the Black Sea ports.
President Putin noted that Türkiye and Russia significantly contribute to the normalization of the situation in Syria.
Following international consultations, the presidents of the two countries adopted a Joint Statement.
The Meeting between President Erdoğan and President Putin
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, my dear friend, we are delighted to welcome you to Russia.
As we agreed in Tehran, we are holding our next working meeting today. But before our meeting here in Sochi, a representative delegation of the Russian Government’s economic bloc visited Turkiye at your invitation and addressed all the essential areas of our cooperation together with their colleagues. There are many of them. I can only remind you that last year our trade grew 57 percent, and it doubled in the first few months of this year, from January to May).
We have large projects we are working on. Everybody knows about the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. This is energy, which is very important, but there are other areas as well. In this regard, I would like to note that TurkStream, the construction of which we completed some time ago, is today one of the most important routes for supplying Europe with Russian gas. TurkStream, unlike all other directions of our hydrocarbon supplies to Europe, is operating well, smoothly, and without failure. I do not mean only deliveries to consumers in Turkiye, but, let me repeat, also to consumers in Europe.
I believe that our European partners should be grateful to Turkiye for ensuring the continuous transit of gas to their markets.
However, oil, gas, coal, and other goods for Turkiye’s consumption are supplied in large quantities, without failure.
The problem of Ukrainian grain exports through Black Sea ports has been settled thanks to your personal involvement and the UN Secretariat’s mediation. Grain is being exported, and I would like to thank you for that and also for the simultaneous adoption of a package decision on the unhindered delivery of Russian food and fertilisers to global markets, because this matter concerns many countries, especially developing countries, which are facing major problems with food and fertiliser deliveries. The decisions that have been taken thanks to your personal contribution are extremely important for all these countries. I would like to thank you for that.
As we agreed, I hope that today we will sign a relevant memorandum on the further development of our trade and economic ties with due regard for the arrangements our delegations reached in Turkiye barely a day, or two days ago.
We are very happy to see you. Welcome.
Of course, we will also discuss the issues we have been dealing with for a long time, namely, regional security and above all, the Syrian crisis. Turkiye and Russia have made a great contribution to normalisation here, and we will also devote time to that issue.
Mr President, welcome.
President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan (retranslated): Mr President, I am grateful to you as well. Thank you. I am delighted that we are meeting again so soon after our meeting in Tehran.
Our delegations have met, and their meetings were very productive. They concerned the economy, trade and all other areas. They discussed many issues in these areas, and we can say now, following those discussions, that we can draw a line here.
I believe we will open a new page in our bilateral relations. This concerns energy, and especially the “grain corridor” via the Black Sea where we have taken steps. Steps have been taken on all issues – tourism and transport – all these areas. Other steps have been taken in the region as well. Our delegations have met several times. Today we are meeting face to face, and will discuss all the other issues on the agenda.
From Turkiye’s point of view, I want to note that Russia plays a special role on the world stage. I believe that we need to focus even more on fighting terrorism, and I hope that this will mitigate the situation in the region. Our solidarity in this regard is of great importance. The steps we take in countering terrorism, and our meetings, I believe, will strengthen this trend and our relations.
Today the world fixed all eyes on Sochi: What will they do in Sochi, what will they address in Sochi, what will they discuss? Perhaps the world is watching our meeting in Sochi closely. And, perhaps the best answers to these questions will be given after our meeting.
As you know, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is of great importance for us in the energy sector. You and I have succeeded: it is true that the construction of Akkuyu continues, and it is necessary that there are no delays, that all this work is going as scheduled and completed according to the plan, because this is of great importance to us. Ten percent of Turkiye’s energy needs will be met by the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. So, we will discuss this in detail. I think it will be useful.
Today we have this opportunity. Thank you for the opportunity to meet here.
A Joint Statement
A joint statement was issued following the meeting between President Erdoğan and President Putin of Russia.
According to the statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their mutual readiness to advance Türkiye-Russia bilateral relations despite the current regional and global challenges on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of reciprocal interests and in accordance with international obligations. In light of this understanding, the leaders, who had extensive consultations pertaining to the issues on the agenda of Türkiye-Russia bilateral relations, agreed to take concrete steps to boost the trade volume between the two countries in line with the set targets on a balanced basis, to fulfil one another’s expectations in the fields of economy and energy on the principle of reciprocity, and to strengthen cooperation on long-standing issues in sectors such as transport, trade, agriculture, industry, finance, tourism, and construction.
In regard to addressing regional issues, the leaders pointed out the key importance of sincere, frank, and trusting relations between Türkiye and Russia for the establishment of regional and international stability. As part of this, the two leaders confirmed that the constructive relations between the two countries contributed to the conclusion of the Istanbul Agreement on the safe transportation of grain and food products from Ukrainian ports.
President Erdoğan and President Putin emphasised the necessity for full implementation of the letter and spirit of the Istanbul Agreement, including the unimpeded export of Russia’s grain, fertiliser, and raw materials for fertiliser production.
During the meeting, which focused on the latest developments in Syria, President Erdoğan and President Putin stressed the importance they attach to furthering the political process to achieve a lasting solution in the country.
The two leaders reiterated their commitment to act in coordination and solidarity in the fight against all terrorist organisations in Syria, noting the value they place on safeguarding Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity.
President Erdoğan and President Putin underlined their unwavering support for Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity. The two leaders emphasised the significance of holding free, fair, and credible elections based on the broadest possible consensus among Libyans and reaffirmed their support for the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process under the auspices of the UN.
President Erdoğan and President Putin agreed to hold the next meeting of the Türkiye-Russia High-Level Cooperation Council in Türkiye.