LOC17:19
14:19 GMT
MOSCOW, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his role in reaching the agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to unlock the grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
The agreement, brokered by Turkiye and the UN Secretariat, helped address the global food crisis resulting from shortage of wheat supplies from Ukraine, Putin said during the summit meeting between him and Erdogan in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, southern Russia, on Friday.
President Putin also appreciated the role of his guest in striking an agreement on the grain and fertilizer exports from Russia to the global markets, according to the Russian TV station.
Such deals are highly important for the developing countries which are on the verge of a serious food crisis, he noted.
Putin voiced hope for striking a deal with Turkiye on upgrading the trade and economic relations, noting that the bilateral trade volume doubled in 2022.
He hailed the TurkStream natural gas pipeline project launched two years ago, saying that the pipeline from Russia to Turkey across the Black Sea is one of the major routes of Russian gas exports to Europe.
On his part, President Erdogan who arrived in Sochi earlier today on a one-day visit to Russia, said his meeting with Putin is intensively covered by the world's political, economic and media circles due to the active roles of both countries in the regional and international affairs.
Turkiye plans to open a new chapter of cooperation with Russia, he said, noting that his country pins high hopes on the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, being constructed by Rosatom - a Russian energy giant, in Buyukeceli town, Mersin Province, southern Turkey.
Today's summit, which follows a similar meeting between both men in Tehran three weeks ago, is expected to cover a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common concern. (end)
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