Putin, Erdogan discuss safety of Black Sea navigation, export of grain
Ahead of a planned Russian-Turkish summit, the two presidents discuss a number of issues of mutual interests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone ahead of the Russian-Turkish summit planned for the near future, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday.
"President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ahead of the Russian-Turkish high-level meeting planned in the near future, the leaders considered a set of issues of mutual interest," the Kremlin statement said.
The two leaders discussed increasing trade, using national currencies in settlements, and continuing uninterrupted supplies of energy resources.
"Particular attention was paid to the tasks of further intensifying economic cooperation, including measures to improve its legal framework, increase trade volumes and use national currencies in settlements, as well as continue uninterrupted supplies of Russian energy," the statement highlighted.
"It was agreed on close cooperation in these areas at the level of the co-chairs of the bilateral intergovernmental commission and the leadership of relevant departments," it added.
Putin and Erdogan also continued to exchange views on the situation around Ukraine, including in the context of coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and the export of grain to global markets, the Kremlin mentioned.
"When discussing the subject of the Syrian settlement, the importance of trilateral — with the participation of Iranian partners — joint work within the framework of the Astana process was emphasized," the statement noted.
In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated his Turkish counterpart and the entire Turkish people on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.