DMITRY MEDVEDEV: RUSSIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS ADVANCED TO THE LEVEL OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 11, 2010 – 11:05 AMT 06:05 GMT
Turkey and Russia will discuss plans to introduce a visa-free regime
and ways to deepen cooperation in energy, economy, agriculture and
security, in addition to political ties, during Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkey, which begins today, May 11.
Turkish-Russian ties have predominantly expanded on an economic basis,
with gigantic energy deals and projects constituting the backbone
of the growing cooperation. But Medvedev’s visit is likely to be a
cornerstone in introducing a political and strategic dimension to the
growing ties, with the two countries formally creating a high level
cooperation council.
"We can confidently say that Russian-Turkish relations have advanced
to the level of a multidimensional strategic partnership," Medvedev
wrote in an article he penned for Today’s Zaman ahead of his visit. He
described the council as a new mechanism for intergovernmental
cooperation and said:
"The purpose of this council is to develop a strategy on basic ways
to develop Russian-Turkish relations, coordinate the implementation
of critical projects and provide incentives for businessmen in both
countries to cooperate with each other. Moreover, it aims to create
synergy between foreign policies to ensure international peace,
stability and safety."
Medvedev also described Turkey as "one of our most important partners
with respect to regional and international issues." Officials from
the two countries are expected to discuss the situation in the South
Caucasus, with a special focus on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
during Medvedev’s two-day visit.
Most of the discussions, however, will still be focused on energy,
which Medvedev says comprises the main axis of Russian-Turkish
cooperation. The planned South Stream and Blue Stream-2 natural gas
pipelines, the construction of the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
a nuclear power plant to be built by Russia on Turkish soil are the
most critical items of the talks.
The two countries will also discuss ways to boost the mutual trade
volume. Russia is Turkey’s single biggest trading partner and provides
two-thirds of its gas. The two countries have bilateral trade ties
totaling some $40 billion. Medvedev said they should aim to increase
trade three to fivefold during the next five years, not only in raw
materials but also through cooperation in hi-tech fields and mutual
investment.
The Russian president is expected to kick off his meetings in Turkey
on Tuesday after visiting the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. In
Ankara, Medvedev is scheduled to meet with President Abdullah Gul
and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Medvedev’s wife, Svetlana
Medvedeva, will also accompany the Russian president during the visit.
According to Turkish diplomatic sources, during Medvedev’s visit a
deal initialed between the two countries envisaging the elimination
of visa requirements may be signed without waiting for the domestic
confirmation process. Nearly 3 million Russian tourists flock to
Turkey every year and the visa-free regime would largely affect Russian
tourists, for whom Turkey is highly attractive destination for tourism.
Medvedev will be accompanied by a large number of businessmen
and officials, and various agreements regarding energy, economy,
agriculture and security are expected to be signed during the historic
visit. The two countries are also expected to discuss regional and
international issues and bilateral relations in particular, Today’s
Zaman reported.