Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have concluded discussion aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional security issues, including the situation in war-torn Syria.

Wednesday’s meeting in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi continued for nearly 3 hours, marking the pair’s first in-person meeting for 18 months.  Putin noted that Russian-Turkish cooperation on the international arena has been successful, further pointing to efforts aimed at coordinating positions on Syria and Libya, according to reports.He positively assessed the work of the Russian-Turkish centre for monitoring the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that it served to promote stability and reconciliation in the region.

Putin also emphasized the successful work of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline that continues to operate amid a turbulent situation in the European gas market. Erdogan noted progressive development with regard to military, trade, economic and political ties between the two countries and said peace in Syria is largely dependent on cooperation between Moscow and Ankara. Both leaders said work on the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in the Turkish province of Mersin was being carried out according to plan.

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