Turkey-Russia cooperative ties develop 'step by step'

ANKARA - Turkey and Russia held High-Level Cooperation Council meeting on Tuesday, attended by the presidents of the two countries in order to enhance bilateral relations and two sides signed four agreements for this end.

During a joint press conference after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will accelerate delivery of S-400 defense systems to Turkey, which was initially planned for 2020.

Erdogan said two countries have finalized the deal for the purchase of S-400 missile defense systems, adding that Russia has proved its sincerity by accepting an earlier delivery.

Russian President also said relations between two countries are developing "step by step."

Trade and economic relations were the focal point of meetings in Ankara, he stated.

"Relations with Turkey are constructive," Putin said, noting that trade volume between two countries was boosted in 2017.

Erdogan welcomed Putin for making his first foreign trip to Turkey after his election victory in March. "This is the best expression for the state of Turkey-Russia relations," Erdogan said.

Political dialogue between two countries is reflected in bilateral economic relations, he said, adding that total volume of bilateral trade has reached to 22 billion US dollars.

Some 4,7 million Russian tourists visited Turkey in 2017 and they expect this figure to reach 6 million in 2018, said the Turkish president.

The work on the second line of the TurkStream natural gas pipeline through Turkey was continuing rapidly, he stated.

Erdogan reiterated that Turkey wants to lift mutual visa requirements with Russia. But Russia is not eager to take such a step on the argument of security reasons.