Ankara Expects New Impetus Toward Normalization of Ties With Moscow

The meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled for October 10, could give a new impetus toward the process of normalization of Russian-Turkish relations, according to the statement of the Turkish presidential administration.

ANKARA (Sputnik) – The meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled for October 10, is expected to give a fresh impulse to improving the Russian-Turkish relations, the Turkish presidential administration said in a statement on Friday.

"Putin is expected to attend the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul at the invitation of our president. At the presidential meeting, planned to be held during the visit, they [Erdogan and Putin] will discuss bilateral and regional problems. The meeting is expected to become the follow-up to the presidential meetings, earlier conducted in St. Petersburg on August 9 and in China's Hangzhou on September 3, to give a new impetus toward the process of normalization of Russian-Turkish relations that has started and to contribute to expanding cooperation," the statement said.

On Tuesday, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that Putin was expected to meet Erdogan and address the October 9-13 World Energy Congress, aimed at bringing together energy ministers and leaders from business, finance and academia, in Istanbul on October 10.

Russia and Turkey launched reconciliation efforts this summer following Erdogan's apology for the November 2015 downing of a Russian Su-24 combat aircraft over Syria.