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Mr President, colleagues, friends,

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It is a great honour and pleasure for me to welcome you in Moscow 

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at the sixth meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish 

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Cooperation Council.

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The meeting in this format is taking place after a pause that was 

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caused by the well-known tragic events.

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Proactive political dialogue resumed between our countries,

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and so did efforts by foreign ministers to coordinate strategic 

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planning. The mixed intergovernmental commission and bilateral civil 

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society forum have also resumed their work.

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Russia and Turkey have great potential for further 

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advancing their neighbourly relations.

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Together, not only can we make up for the opportunities that were lost,

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but also raise our cooperation to a new level.

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At least Russia is willing to do so and committed to moving 

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in this direction.

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The President and I have just discussed the most urgent matters 

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on the bilateral agenda, and agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral 

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relations in the spirit of an advanced multifaceted partnership.

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As we hold this expanded meeting with members of our governments 

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and business leaders, I hope that we will be able to discuss specific 

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areas of cooperation in the same business-like and constructive manner,

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as well as outline goals and reference points on all issues 

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on the bilateral agenda.

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Let me emphasise that Turkey is one of Russia’s main trade partners,

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while Russia is a key export market for Turkey.

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However, we have to acknowledge that bilateral trade has 

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been declining in recent years.

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In 2016, it shrank by almost one third,

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all but reaching a level last seen a decade ago.

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We hope that we will be able to reverse this negative trend 

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as soon as this year.

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This is what the intergovernmental commission aims to achieve,

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as does the intergovernmental programme on trade, economic,

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scientific and technical cooperation to be adopted today.

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We also need to further stimulate mutual investment.

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Russia and Turkey have already reached significant results in terms 

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of mutual investment, which stands at about $10 billion on each side.

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Of course, much more can be achieved.

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Proactive efforts by the Russian-Turkish investment fund 

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are also to bring about new projects.

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It is gratifying that we have been able to establish strategic 

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cooperation in the energy sector.

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Turkey is Russia’s second largest natural gas importer.

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Last month, the intergovernmental agreement on the major project 

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to build the Turkish Stream gas pipeline network came into force.

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This project will help increase natural gas supplies 

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to Turkey and develop its transit potential.

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Rosatom is designing the Akkuyu nuclear power plant,

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the first nuclear power facility in Turkey.

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Power Machines is involved in upgrading Turkey’s hydropower 

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infrastructure. There are also great prospects for expanding 

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cooperation in the metals industry, car manufacturing,

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production of agricultural produce and machinery.

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Business communities in both countries are interested in expanding 

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cooperation in such areas as innovation,

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research and technology.

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By stepping up bilateral economic ties,

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we could increase the share of mutual settlements in national 

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currencies, and we know that the President is a proactive supporter 

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of initiatives of this kind.

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Creating infrastructure in Turkey for the Mir Card Payment System would 

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be a concrete step in this direction,

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as we have mentioned today during the one-on-one meeting.

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Military technical cooperation deserves special attention,

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as well as contacts between law enforcement agencies and secret 

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services, particularly on counter-terrorist efforts.

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Russian law enforcement agencies are interested in exchanging 

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information on the movement of persons involved 

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in terrorist activity in our countries.

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There are good prospects for further expanding cultural ties.

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In 2019, Russia and Turkey are to hold cross-years 

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of culture and tourism.

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Colleagues, before I give the floor to the President of Turkey Recep 

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Tayyip Erdogan, let me say a few words about how this 

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meeting will proceed.

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As usual, we will hear presentations by foreign ministers who co-chair 

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the joint strategic planning group,

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as well as the heads of the intergovernmental commission 

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and civil society forum.

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In addition, during the meeting, and at the working breakfast,

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other ministers and heads of agencies will have an opportunity 

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to speak. I hope that both sides will actively contribute to this 

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meeting. Thank you for your attention.