Ankara, Moscow Remain 'Special Partners' - Turkish Envoy to Russia

Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim said that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in St. Petersburg “will give additional impetus not only on the Turkish Stream project, but all areas of our cooperation.”

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – It is unacceptable to ignore or forget the fact that Moscow and Ankara have been and remain special partners, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim said Friday.

“Even in the face of political rollback, Turkey remains a special country for Russia, just as Russia is for Turkey,” Yardim told RIA Novosti in an interview, adding that “ignoring this fact, forgetting about it is unacceptable.”

Upcoming discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project may give impetus to implementing this and other energy projects, according to Umit Yardim.

“At the moment, the parties have not started the formal part, the signing of documents. I do not know in what context the Turkish Stream will be discussed on August 9, but of course energy issues and these projects will be discussed,” Yardim told RIA Novosti in an interview.

The diplomat voiced confidence that the meeting between the two leaders in St. Petersburg “will give additional impetus not only on the Turkish Stream project, but all areas of our cooperation.”