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Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,

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During my recent telephone conversation with Mr Erdogan,

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we agreed to hold a meeting in Sochi to thoroughly discuss the current 

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state of bilateral affairs, give additional impetus to their 

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development, and continue our exchange on the situation in the region,

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including, of course, the Syrian settlement process.

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As regards Russia-Turkey cooperation,

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you could say our relations have been practically fully restored.

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This is evidenced by the growth of bilateral trade: in the first nine 

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months of this year, it increased by 36 percent.

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There is every reason to believe that we will be able 

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to compensate for last year's decline.

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Such progress is largely due to the consistent removal 

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of trade barriers and restrictions.

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In line with the agreements following my meeting with Mr Erdogan 

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in Ankara, imports of a wide range of products resumed 

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starting October 30.

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Today we have discussed joint measures to eliminate restrictions 

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on other kinds of agricultural products.

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Together with ministers and heads of top companies,

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we considered key aspects of strategic cooperation 

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in the energy industry.

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This concerns the Turkish Stream and the construction 

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of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

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Soon, Rosatom Corporation is due to start the practical stage 

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of the project’s implementation.

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Our plans also include the launch of the first reactor as early as 2023.

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Of course, the Syrian settlement was also on the agenda today.

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Taking into consideration the recent achievements in the fight against 

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terrorists, the President and I agreed on the need to step up efforts 

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to promote a lasting settlement in the country.

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These efforts must above all focus on a political settlement 

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and on assisting the Syrian people in post-conflict recovery.

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I informed Mr President that at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 

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in Danang, the President of the United States and I approved a joint 

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statement on the main approaches to the situation in Syria.

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Specifically, we highlighted the need to secure a definitive victory 

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over ISIS, and rigorously respect the sovereignty,

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unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian state.

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I told Mr President of the results of my recent visit to Tehran 

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and the meetings with the Iranian leadership.

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In this regard, let me note that our joint efforts with Turkey and Iran 

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as guarantor countries of the Astana Process continue 

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to yield tangible results.

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Violence has clearly receded, and favourable conditions are being 

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created for promoting intra-Syrian dialogue under UN auspices.

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In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr President and all our Turkish 

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colleagues and friends for our productive talks.

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We have a positive record of exchanging views in a business-like,

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informal manner, adjusting our plans and reviewing results.

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These meetings are arranged on short notice, and are free of red tape,

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quasi-diplomatic procedures or protocol encumbrances,

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but at the same time, they are very effective.

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For that, we thank our Turkish friends and hope that we will continue 

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working together along these lines.

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Thank you.

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Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to greet you.

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I would like to express my gratitude to you, primarily,

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Mr President and the Russian agencies concerned, for your hospitality.

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This is the third time that I have visited Russia this year.

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This is also my sixth meeting with Mr Putin this year.

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Mr Putin and I have come to an agreement on the deepening 

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of our bilateral relations.

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We maintain active contact in the form of personal meetings 

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and telephone conversations.

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Based on this, we can say that we have started preparations 

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for the seventh meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish 

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Cooperation Council. Like our political dialogue,

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our economic relations have reached a high level.

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During my visit to Russia in March this year,

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my dear friend Mr Putin delighted us by saying that restrictions 

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on the import of certain Turkish agricultural products had been lifted 

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and that they are working on visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

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Since then, we have maintained intensive contact to remove 

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all of the obstacles.

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The Intergovernmental Commission held a successful meeting last month.

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We were pleased to learn about the decisions taken at that meeting,

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including those on facilitating the import of Turkish egg-plant,

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tomatoes, pomegranates and other agricultural produce to Russia.

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However, we would like to see all other restrictions lifted as well.

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In the first quarter of this year,

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our economic ties increased by 26.

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5 percent compared to the same period last year, exceeding $15 billion.

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However, we still need to remove all barriers in our economic ties,

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primarily for our business people,

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to reach the $100 billion target.

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The reintroduction of visa-free travel is extremely 

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important in this respect.

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On the other hand, we attach great importance to continuing the Turkish 

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Stream and Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant projects.

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We believe it is very important that these projects be 

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completed on time.

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We were happy to learn that the laying of the gas pipeline 

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in Russia has been completed.

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As for the construction of the Turkish section,

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we are closely monitoring this process.

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We intend to hold the first concrete pouring ceremony at the Akkuyu 

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Nuclear Power Plant in the coming weeks.

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If Mr Putin’s schedule allows it,

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we would like to take part in this ceremony together.

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We would also like to take our relations to a new level 

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in tourism and culture.

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In the first nine months of 2017,

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more than four million Russian tourists visited our country.

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In 2019, Turkey will hold the Year of Russia and Russia will hold 

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the Year of Turkey, which I hope will mark a milestone in our relations.

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During the meeting, we also discussed regional and international issues 

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with an emphasis on the Syrian conflict.

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We believe that the Astana meetings,

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as well as the memorandum on the de-escalation zones helped 

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curtail violence in this region.

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We agreed that a foundation has been laid for promoting 

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a political settlement.

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We also attach great importance to the joint statement 

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issued by Mr Putin and Mr Trump in Vietnam.

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I would also like to express satisfaction with the fact that relations 

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between our countries have reached a new level and become stronger.

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However, we believe that more can be done.

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Both sides agreed on the need for closer cooperation 

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between our countries and peoples.

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I attach special importance to our joint efforts in the defence sector.

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I would like to thank Mr Putin, my friend, once again,

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as well all the relevant agencies, for your hospitality.

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Thank you very much.