Putin, Erdogan to Discuss Economic Partnership, Syrian Crisis

The Russian and Turkish Presidents will discuss increasing mutual trade up to $100 billion from $32.7 billion in 2013. The leaders will also address energy policy and the Syrian crisis.

MOSCOW, December 1 (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in Turkey on a state visit Monday to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom he will discuss economic and energy partnership, as well as the Syrian crisis.

The two leaders will attend the Top-Level Cooperation Council meeting, which will pave the way for deeper Russia-Turkey relations. Putin and Ergodan are expected to cover a wide range of issues concerning trade-economic cooperation.

Russia is one of Turkey's main trading partners. In 2013, bilateral trade between the countries reached $32.7 billion.

Earlier in November, the Russian leader said that he had agreed with Erdogan to bring mutual trade up to $100 billion in the next few years.

Putin also said that he appreciated Turkey not following the west in adopting sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. He added that Russia welcomes Turkey's goal to increase food exports to Russia, following Moscow's retaliatory measures to western sanctions, which banned certain food imports from the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia and Norway.

Putin and Erdogan are also expected to discuss cooperation in the energy sector. Prior to Putin's visit, head of Russian energy giant Gazprom Alexey Miller held a meeting in Istanbul with Erdogan and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz.

Russia is the main supplier of natural gas to Turkey. In 2013, Russia delivered 26.7 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey. In 2014, Russian gas delivery volumes to Turkey are expected to increase and reach 30 billion cubic meters.

The Russian president is also supposed to address international issues, including the Syrian crisis, during his visit. This is one of the most relevant and important topics for both Moscow and Ankara, presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists ahead of Putin's visit to Turkey.