Breaking: Erdoğan-Putin summit begins

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks in Bishkek, where Erdoğan was attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders’ summit.

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I consider it very important to make use of such an opportunity to meet with the esteemed president today.

Erdoğan described Turkey-Russia relations as being at a very advanced level. He highlighted the importance of Russian tourists to Turkey, particularly Antalya, where he said visitors from Russia formed the largest tourist network.

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Turkey-Russia relations are truly at a very advanced level today, compared with any previous period.

He also pointed to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, saying construction had entered its final phase and that Turkey was waiting for the facility to be completed and opened. Erdoğan said the opening would be accompanied by steps toward other power plants and cited strong cooperation in agriculture and energy.

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We are now at the stage of completing the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. We are waiting for Akkuyu to be finished and opened.

Putin said he was very pleased with the meeting and that economic cooperation had remained at a high level thanks to Erdoğan’s interest.

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I am very pleased with today’s meeting. Thanks to your interest, economic cooperation remains at a high level.