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Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,

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Mr Erdogan and I met fairly recently in Moscow, on March 10,

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and held a successful meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council.

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These talks in Sochi are a good opportunity to provide a joint 

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assessment of progress in implementing the March decisions,

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to outline new goals for joint work for the future,

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and to exchange views on key international and regional issues.

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Turkey is an important and promising partner of Russia.

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Some time ago, the durability of our bilateral relations,

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as we know, was tested.

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Now, we can state confidently that the recovery period in Russia-Turkey ties is over, 

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and we are returning to normal cooperation  between partners.

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Notably, our countries are firmly committed to further strengthening 

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cooperation across many areas in accordance with the spirit 

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and the letter of the treaty on the foundations of bilateral relations,

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which will turn 25 in late May.

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At our talks today, first in narrow format,

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then with government members and the heads of our big energy companies present, 

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we examined in detail implementation of our bilateral 

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cooperation programme for 2017–2020.

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 We concentrated particularly on economic cooperation and removing the barriers

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 and limitations hindering expansion of trade and investment exchanges, 

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and looked at the possibility of carrying out 

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mutual settlements in our national currencies.

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The intergovernmental commission is working hard on these urgent matters,

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 as are the two deputy prime ministers,

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one from each government, tasked with this work.

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It is important that we have succeeded in checking the fall 

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in bilateral trade and we noted a slight increase of around 3 percent 

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during the first months of this year.

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Our reciprocal investment figures are at a good level,

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with $10 billion on each side.

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We agreed to accelerate preparation of the agreement on services 

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and investment, which will enable us to set our further cooperation 

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in this area on a modern legal base and will enable us to soon complete 

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the establishment and begin operation of a joint investment 

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fund with capital of up to $1 billion.

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Of course, we spoke in depth about energy sector cooperation,

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which has truly strategic importance for both countries.

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I remind you that Russia meets more than 55 percent of Turkey’s gas needs, 

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33 percent of its coal, and 18 percent of its oil needs.

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We continue our joint work on building the new gas pipeline Turkish Stream. 

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This ambitious project will see us lay two branches 

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of the pipeline across the Black Sea bed.

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Each branch will be able to transport 15.

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7 billion cubic metres of gas, one to Turkey,

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and the other in transit to Europe.

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This project’s implementation will significantly boost Turkey’s 

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and Europe’s energy security and will expand Russia’s gas export possibilities.

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We discussed another of our big joint projects too, namely,

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the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu,

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in which Russia is investing a total of $22 billion.

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We exchanged views on prospects for deepening our bilateral ties 

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in the humanitarian sector.

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In 2019, we will hold reciprocal culture and tourism years.

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The practical preparations for these events are already underway.

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A third of Russians taking breaks abroad over this May holiday period 

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have chosen Turkey as their destination.

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Guaranteeing reliable safety for our citizens at Turkish 

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resorts is therefore extremely important.

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Russia’s relevant agencies are ready to provide all possible assistance 

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to Turkey’s intelligence services in these matters.

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Cooperation between our relevant services is developing.

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During our exchange of views on the global and regional agendas,

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we gave much attention to the fight against international terrorism.

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We agreed to strengthen our cooperation in this area through our 

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intelligence services and defence ministries.

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In particular, they will continue the practice of holding regular 

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interagency consultations on counterterrorism work.

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We discussed in detail the situation in the Middle East,

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particularly in Syria, of course.

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Mr Erdogan and I both share the same view that only political 

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and diplomatic means can bring a solution to the Syrian conflict.

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I remind you that it was in large part thanks to the active efforts 

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of Russia, Turkey and Iran that we not only achieved a ceasefire 

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between Syrian government forces and the armed opposition,

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but got them to sit down at the negotiating table in Astana,

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where a fourth round of consultations is beginning today.

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We also discussed preparations for the 25th anniversary summit 

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of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation,

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which will take place on May 22 in Istanbul.

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This regional cooperation format is very useful and Russia will 

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certainly ensure it is represented at worthy level at this event.

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Let me conclude by thanking President Erdogan and all of our Turkish 

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colleagues and friends for this direct and constructive discussion.

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I am sure that today’s talks will give new impetus to developing our 

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strategic cooperation on the basis of partnership 

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and good-neighbourly relations.

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Thank you for your attention.

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My dear friend, ladies and gentlemen,

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Heartfelt greetings to you all.

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This is my second visit to the Russian Federation in the past two months.

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 First, I would like to express my thanks to President Putin 

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and our Russian friends for the hospitality extended 

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to my delegation and me personally.

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This is my fifth meeting with Mr Putin since August 2016.

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We often talk on the phone.

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Thanks to all these meetings, we managed to achieve the desired outcome.

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 Both sides have shown strong will to improve our relations.

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The reasonable approaches taken by the leadership of the two countries have played

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 an important role in this respect, to be sure.

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Today, we held consultations on economic, trade and other issues.

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On March 10, we held the sixth meeting of the High-Level 

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Cooperation Council in Moscow.

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During our meeting today, we again reviewed our decisions and steps.

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Our economic teams often meet in Moscow and Ankara.

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They are making significant efforts to remove obstacles on the way 

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to advancing trade and economic relations.

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I believe that we will see the results of these efforts 

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in the coming days. Cooperation on the Turkish Stream 

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and Akkuyu projects continues as scheduled.

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During our meeting today, Mr Putin and I discussed regional issues,

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primarily, the Syrian crisis.

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There is a Russian proverb that I like a lot: 

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”All men speak of their own ills.“ 

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True, for both our countries,

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Syria has been a deep bleeding wound over the past six years.

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At a time when children in other countries are playing and enjoying 

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the arrival of spring and sunny days,

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Syrian children face death every day. This is a grief shared by us all.

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The length of our border with Syria is 911 kilometres.

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We're all cut from the same cloth.

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How can we remain indifferent to children crying in a neighbouring country?

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 How can we turn a blind eye to the killing of children, women,

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and the elderly with chemical weapons? We have provided shelter 

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to about 3 million Syrian refugees in our country,

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who are doing their best to survive.

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Of course, we will talk about Syria,

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and we will hold meetings to overcome this crisis.

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We will heed the cries and screams of the innocent,

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and we will work towards resolving this issue.

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My dear friend Vladimir Putin sincerely expressed his desire to put 

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an end to this drama as well.

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He has personally put in a lot of effort,

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and I believe that he will continue to do so in the future 

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in order to end the hostilities.

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Turkey, Russia and Iran are the guarantor countries for maintaining 

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the ceasefire, and as such, we must be very sensitive 

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in our approach to this issue.

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We must seize every possible opportunity to reinforce the ceasefire.

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Some out there are spending their energy on sabotaging this 

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process, however. We are very much aware of what they are doing 

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to destroy the growing seeds of hope.

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The chemical attack at Khan Sheikhun was a clear illustration of this.

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This barbaric attack must not go unpunished.

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Today, President Putin and I reached the important agreement that those 

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responsible for this attack must be punished.

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All attacks seeking to violate the ceasefire not only exacerbate 

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the situation, but undermine the guarantor countries’ efforts.

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We are working together with Russia on all of these matters.

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I have no doubt that only a political process can settle the Syrian 

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crisis and end the bloodshed there.

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Syria’s territorial integrity and political integrity are our priority.

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As long as Syria remains the stage for proxy war,

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terrorist organisations will continue to flourish.

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In this context, the fight against all terrorist organisations in Syria 

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is crucial for the country’s future,

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for its people’s survival, and for peace in the world.

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We never drew distinctions between terrorist organisations,

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whether YPG, ISIS or Al-Qaeda, they are all the same to us.

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They all feed on blood, chaos and tears.

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It is our common responsibility to eradicate these 

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terrorist organisations.

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We will not accept the emergence of hostile organisations on our 

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southern borders, from where they will threaten our 

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territorial integrity and security.

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As we have done so until now, we will continue to take all steps 

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necessary to ensure our citizens’ security.

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Let me take this opportunity to express my condolences following 

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the death of Russian citizens in the terrorist attack in April.

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Such treacherous acts are further evidence that terror knows no borders 

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and recognises no principles.

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I have always said that there is no difference 

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between terrorist attacks in Moscow, Istanbul, Brussels,

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Kabul or Paris. There is no difference between all of these acts of terrorism. 

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 Terrorist organisations are humanity’s common enemy,

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regardless of their name or ideology.

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Let me say again that we stand together with our Russian friends 

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in fighting terrorist organisations.

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I want to express my sympathy too over the accident on the ship 

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carrying Russian military personnel in the Black Sea.

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As soon as we heard the news of this accident,

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we did everything possible to provide assistance.

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It is a consolation that there were no fatalities.

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I want to thank Mr Putin for his kind invitation,

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and I invite him to attend the 25th anniversary summit of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation, 

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which will take place in Istanbul on May 22.

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I hope that our consultations and the decisions reached will benefit 

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our countries, the region, and all of humanity.

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Thank you very much.

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I have a question about resolving the Syrian crisis 

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Did the two leaders discuss this issue and, if so,

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did they reach an agreement?

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There is a new initiative in this regard.

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As you may be aware, from the very outset,

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I have been using the term ”safe zone“. I will continue to use it.

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However, a new term – ”de-escalation zone“ –

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has gained currency recently.

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As you may be aware, refugees from Aleppo have found 

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shelter in the province of Idlib.

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Unfortunately, problems occasionally emerge in Idlib.

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A ”green zone“, that is, a ”de-escalation zone“ has been created there.

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We hope that the de-escalation zone will be preserved.

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This is critical for the Astana process.

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I hope that the decision on the de-escalation zone will be adopted 

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and acted upon to further resolve this issue.

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The President and I operate on the premise – I already mentioned this – 

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that the Syrian crisis can be resolved exclusively by political means.

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However, to set this political process in motion it is necessary to ensure a ceasefire.

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As the countries that made the greatest contribution to this formula 

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and the practical side of ending hostilities, Russia, Turkey,

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and Iran have never stopped thinking about ways to bolster the ceasefire.

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One way to do so is to create safe zones, or de-escalation zones,

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as the President just said.

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We have heard the US President mention de-escalation zones as well.

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Yesterday, I discussed this issue on the phone with Mr Trump.

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As far as I understand, the US administration is supportive of these ideas. 

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Earlier, Russia held consultations with Damascus 

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and Tehran, and we believe that we need to work toward creating 

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mechanisms that would guarantee an end to the bloodshed and create 

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conditions for starting a political dialogue.

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In this sense, I am on the same page with the President of Turkey.

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We proceed from the premise that the participants in the conflict who 

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gathered in Astana today will make the final decision, because,

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ultimately, the future of their country depends on them.

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As guarantors of the ceasefire, Turkey, Iran,

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and Russia will do their best to ensure that these mechanisms get 

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better and are effective. We will support this proposal.

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A question for both presidents. I would like to know when it will be possible to speak

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 of the full restoration of the previous level of trade cooperation between Russia and Turkey, 

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where it was before the crisis, before the conflict over the incident with our aircraft.

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As we know, some of the restrictions introduced after this incident 

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have not yet been lifted.

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This applies to certain types of agricultural products exported from 

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Turkey to Russia, especially tomatoes.

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Russian producers of this product are somewhat concerned.

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If Turkish tomatoes reappear on our market again,

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this will mean they will have to reduce their own 

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production, as Turkish tomatoes are cheaper.

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But Turkey, as we see, introduces certain protective duties with regard 

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to Russian wheat, corn and sunflower oil.

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How can this issue be resolved? In general,

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I would like to know how you see the trade and economic partnership 

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in the distant, distant future and what trade volumes will 

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be like over the long term.

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You asked when it will be possible to say that the restrictions that 

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arose some time ago have been lifted. This can be said today.

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We agreed on a comprehensive solution to all problems 

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related to the restrictions.

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We proceed from the premise that any restrictions destroy the economy 

254
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and ultimately harm our producers.

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You raised some sensitive things.

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For example, tomatoes are not the only product that has 

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been subject to restrictions.

258
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Restrictions were imposed on a lot of services and other goods,

259
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including textiles, services, labour,

260
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and construction. There were a lot of restrictions.

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We agreed to lift all these restrictions.

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But we asked our Turkish partners and friends to understand that after 

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the well-known tragic events, when these restrictions were introduced,

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life went on and did not stand still.

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This includes the production of tomatoes,

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which you mentioned. Our agricultural producers took out sizable loans,

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credit resources. It’s a fairly long production cycle due –

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in our climatic conditions – to the construction 

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of greenhouses and so on.

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Therefore, for this type of goods,

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the restrictions will remain in force, as well as for visa-free travel,

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which is due to the need to strengthen interaction between our special 

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services in the face of the growing terrorist threat.

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This is nevertheless a problem that can look much less 

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severe than it looks now.

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I mean that it is possible – and we will do this –

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to liberalise travel by specialists and people who constantly visit our 

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country on business. Many Turkish nationals will be afforded 

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liberalised terms; our colleagues agreed that the relevant lists will 

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be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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As for these commodity groups, including tomatoes, of course,

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we cannot close and do not plan to close our market forever for all 

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imports, including imports of tomatoes.

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As this investment cycle, which I mentioned, passes,

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this part of our market will also be liberalised.

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In general, we believe that all other restrictions should 

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be lifted. We agreed to this today.

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And today during our meeting, we came to an agreement 

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on all issues, except for tomatoes.

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Undoubtedly, we want Turkish tomatoes on the Russian market,

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because they are tasty and cheap. And this is advice for our partners.

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But since it is temporary, as the dear President said,

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maybe we can find more suitable options,

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00:25:23.653 --> 00:25:27.361
temporary options and discuss the matter on a new basis.

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Our colleagues have done a very good job.

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And while there were a few questions about tomatoes,

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we agreed on the remaining issues.

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And I must say that we are already past the period of normalisation 

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of relations, this period has already come to an end,

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we have passed through it.

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Mr Putin, my question mostly concerns you,

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00:25:57.827 --> 00:26:03.515
so I will ask it in Russian.

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You have answered it partly, but I will ask it anyway.

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When you were opening the meeting today,

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you said that our relations with Turkey have returned to full scale,

306
00:26:21.991 --> 00:26:25.631
and you repeated these words just now.

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However, you promised on April 10 that visa restrictions will be lifted 

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quite soon for Turkish businessmen,

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00:26:35.882 --> 00:26:40.979
who will receive working visas.

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A Russian businessman took out a loan for tomatoes while a Turkish 

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00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:53.730
businessman took out a loan some time ago to do business with Russia.

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00:26:53.730 --> 00:26:57.855
Considering this, you said on April 10 that 

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00:26:57.855 --> 00:27:02.010
the restrictions will be cancelled quite soon.

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00:27:02.010 --> 00:27:06.436
Can we say now explicitly that this day has come?

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00:27:06.436 --> 00:27:12.036
We always say things explicitly, we don’t speak any other way.

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00:27:12.036 --> 00:27:17.365
The restrictions were imposed as the result of the tragedy 

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with our pilot. You know about it,

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00:27:20.436 --> 00:27:25.313
and we all regret it. We see Turkey regret it as well.

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But it happened, and the restrictions appeared.

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00:27:30.925 --> 00:27:35.778
After that, we introduced certain restrictions 

321
00:27:35.778 --> 00:27:39.702
in the economy, including agriculture.

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00:27:39.702 --> 00:27:44.096
Our producers have taken out loans,

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00:27:44.096 --> 00:27:48.833
now they must pay off these loans and pay back the bank.

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00:27:48.833 --> 00:27:52.385
There is a specific cycle related to time 

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00:27:52.385 --> 00:27:56.530
(to repay the loans) and the selling of products.

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00:27:56.530 --> 00:28:02.452
The President was right to say that Turkish tomatoes are indeed a bit 

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00:28:02.452 --> 00:28:07.104
cheaper, and we are interested in our consumers having 

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00:28:07.104 --> 00:28:10.065
access to products at lower prices.

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00:28:10.065 --> 00:28:15.225
But we are also interested in the development of the Russian 

330
00:28:15.225 --> 00:28:19.428
agricultural sector, and the people who have received loans under 

331
00:28:19.428 --> 00:28:23.423
Government guarantees should not wind up broke.

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00:28:23.423 --> 00:28:26.873
As we made clear today, the cycle will finish someday,

333
00:28:26.873 --> 00:28:30.667
and we will announce it. This is easy to calculate.

334
00:28:30.667 --> 00:28:37.333
There are also periods during the year when we cannot meet our market 

335
00:28:37.333 --> 00:28:43.668
demand with domestic production and so we import some share 

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of goods, tomatoes among them.

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00:28:48.895 --> 00:28:55.925
As we have agreed today, our Turkish partners and friends also should 

338
00:28:55.925 --> 00:29:01.448
not be discriminated against, considering that we have 

339
00:29:01.448 --> 00:29:03.959
certain seasonal imports.

340
00:29:03.959 --> 00:29:07.781
They will work on our market as all exporters to our country do.

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00:29:07.781 --> 00:29:11.798
I have also spoken about visas quite explicitly.

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00:29:11.798 --> 00:29:16.764
We should improve the interaction of our special services in connection 

343
00:29:16.764 --> 00:29:20.971
with the terrorist threat.

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00:29:20.971 --> 00:29:25.862
We realise, however, that there are categories of Turkish citizens who 

345
00:29:25.862 --> 00:29:28.923
visit Russia regularly on business.

346
00:29:28.923 --> 00:29:32.899
We are willing to create for them a special arrangement that is more 

347
00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:35.907
liberal than for all the other visitors to Russia.

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00:29:35.907 --> 00:29:39.677
To do this, our Foreign Ministries must work on it 

349
00:29:39.677 --> 00:29:49.273
and exchange relevant lists. We are prepared to accept this solution.

350
00:29:49.273 --> 00:29:54.997
I would like to know more about creating safe zones in Syria.

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00:29:54.997 --> 00:29:58.375
Whose idea was it, who supported it,

352
00:29:58.375 --> 00:30:03.926
who will coordinate the activities in these zones and how? Does this 

353
00:30:03.926 --> 00:30:10.622
mean that they will be no-fly zones? Won’t creating such zones lead 

354
00:30:10.622 --> 00:30:14.799
to the violation of the territorial integrity of that 

355
00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:18.550
country? Thank you.

356
00:30:18.550 --> 00:30:22.880
We discussed this in detail with the President today.

357
00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:28.271
We both proceed from the assumption – and we share this position –

358
00:30:28.271 --> 00:30:33.254
that creating safe zones should lead to further pacification 

359
00:30:33.254 --> 00:30:35.704
and consolidate the ceasefire.

360
00:30:35.704 --> 00:30:40.605
The absence of bloodshed is the most important prerequisite 

361
00:30:40.605 --> 00:30:45.506
for starting a political dialogue between the warring sides.

362
00:30:45.506 --> 00:30:50.652
Ultimately, this political process should lead to the complete 

363
00:30:50.652 --> 00:30:55.347
restoration of the territorial integrity of that country and ensure 

364
00:30:55.347 --> 00:30:58.890
unified national leadership.

365
00:30:58.890 --> 00:31:04.263
Regardless of the views that certain political forces may profess 

366
00:31:04.263 --> 00:31:08.368
today, they must unite in the interest of the Syrian people.

367
00:31:08.368 --> 00:31:14.108
It is up to the Syrian people and the warring sides to decide on what 

368
00:31:14.108 --> 00:31:19.880
grounds and platform, and in what ways they are going to do so.

369
00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:23.301
We hope that these solutions will be found during 

370
00:31:23.301 --> 00:31:26.660
the negotiation process.

371
00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:31.439
With regard to terrorists, our fight against terrorism will continue 

372
00:31:31.439 --> 00:31:34.294
despite the creation of such zones.

373
00:31:34.294 --> 00:31:37.238
We will continue to fight organisations such as ISIS,

374
00:31:37.238 --> 00:31:40.447
Jabhat al-Nusra and the like that are on the UN-approved 

375
00:31:40.447 --> 00:31:42.914
list of terrorist organisations.

376
00:31:42.914 --> 00:31:48.599
Monitoring compliance with the corresponding arrangements in these 

377
00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:52.417
circumstances is a matter for separate talks.

378
00:31:52.417 --> 00:31:58.441
Who came up with this idea? I believe it came up during the discussion 

379
00:31:58.441 --> 00:32:03.637
of all these subtle issues with our partners in Turkey,

380
00:32:03.637 --> 00:32:05.810
Iran, and Syria itself.

381
00:32:05.810 --> 00:32:11.100
As I mentioned earlier, we heard similar proposals from 

382
00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:13.556
the United States as well.

383
00:32:13.556 --> 00:32:17.360
The name – safe zone or de-escalation zone –

384
00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:20.719
does not really matter.

385
00:32:20.719 --> 00:32:26.235
What matters is that the arrangements we agree upon are complied with.

386
00:32:26.235 --> 00:32:29.311
It is likewise important to agree on ways to monitor 

387
00:32:29.311 --> 00:32:32.008
compliance with these agreements.

388
00:32:32.008 --> 00:32:35.675
With regard to a no-fly zone, if this is a de-escalation zone,

389
00:32:35.675 --> 00:32:38.730
then aircraft will not operate there either,

390
00:32:38.730 --> 00:32:42.365
provided that these zones show no sign of military activity.

391
00:32:42.365 --> 00:32:44.959
These are all subtle professional issues.

392
00:32:44.959 --> 00:32:47.130
Our respective defence ministries and special services keep in touch 

393
00:32:47.130 --> 00:32:49.119
with each other and are in charge of developing these arrangements.