Joint Press Statement
President of the Republic of Türkiye and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met in Sochi, Russia on 5 August 2022.
Ongoing regional and global challenges notwithstanding, the two Leaders reaffirmed their common will to further Türkiye-Russia relations based on mutual respect, recognition of reciprocal interests, and in accordance with their international undertakings.
Within the framework of this understanding, the Leaders, who conducted extensive consultations on the issues that are on the agenda of Türkiye-Russia bilateral affairs, agreed; to increase the bilateral trade volume on a balanced basis and to achieve designated targets; to meet one another’s expectations on the economy and energy; to take concrete steps to boost collaboration about issues that have been pending on the agenda of both countries for a long time, concerning sectors such as transportation, commerce, agriculture, industry, finance, tourism and construction.
With regard to regional matters, the Leaders stressed the key importance of genuine, frank and trust-based relations between Türkiye and Russia, to achieve regional and international stability.
Within this framework, the two Leaders acknowledged the role that constructive relations between the two countries played in the conclusion of the Initiative on the safe transportation of grain and foodstuffs from ukrainian ports. The two Leaders underscored the need to ensure, in letter and in spirit, the full implementation of the Istanbul agreement, including the unimpeded export of Russia’s grain, fertilizer and raw materials stocks needed for its production.
In the meeting, where recent developments in Syria were also discussed, the Leaders underlined the importance they attribute to the furtherance of the political process. Stressing the significance they attach to the preservation of Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity, the Leaders reaffirmed their determination to act in coordination and solidarity in the fight against all terrorist organizations.
The two leaders emphasized their strong commitment to Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. They went on to underscore the importance of holding free, fair and credible elections based on the widest consensus possible and reiterated their support to the political process which continues under Libyan ownership and leadership.
The Leaders agreed to hold the next meeting of Türkiye-Russia High Level Cooperation Council in Türkiye.
Beginning of the meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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.
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