The Russian president said a restoration of ties with Turkey would increase stability in “in the whole world” as the leaders met in a Tsarist-era palace just outside Putin’s home city of St Petersburg.
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“I would like to send my warmest regards to both Vladimir (Putin) and Russian people on behalf of myself and Turkish nation”, Mr Erdogan told TASS.
Turkey is in complicated negotiations with the European Union over their deal in response to the migrant crisis.
“The European Union is not behaving in a honest manner with Turkey”, Erdoğan said in his comments published on Monday, noting that the visa waiver for Turkish citizens was supposed to kick in on June 1.
European nations and human rights groups have expressed alarm over the scope of Turkey’s crackdown, triggering anger from Turkish officials who have complained of a lack of support for Turkey over the failed coup.
“Now, I believe, we have a chance to reconsider everything, to open a new page in Turkey and Russian Federation relations”.
Germany denied Monday it was concerned by the thaw in relations between Turkey and Russian Federation.
Putin said the two men would discuss how to restore trade and economic ties and cooperation against terrorism.
Authorities say the attempt on 15 July was staged by a military faction loyal to the exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, but it has denied any involvement.
Mr Erdogan has accused countries raising concern over the response to the coup of supporting the plotters and targeted Amnesty International for a report alleging that some people detained in connection with the attempt had been tortured.
Russia imposed trade sanctions on Turkey in the wake of the shooting down of its jet and the number of Russian tourists visiting the country fell by 87 per cent in the first half of 2016. “The most important point here will be our joint energy projects”.
Turkish officials have said Erdogan’s visit to Russian Federation is not meant to signal a fundamental shift in Ankara’s geopolitical stance. “The culprits in what happened … have been detained and brought to justice already”, he said.
With relations with the west looking shaky at best, Vadim Nikitin, assistant director of consultancy Stroz Friedberg told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” that there was an element of symbolism to the timing of the meeting with Russian Federation but that, ultimately, the meeting was about vested interests. “Those objectives are mutually exclusive”, he said.
Hakura said the deal could collapse, but Europe is better equipped to deal with the migrant challenge if it does, and was more likely to adopt a tougher line in their negotiations with Erdogan.
Greater cooperation in the theater of war would be in the interests of both sides, said Hakura.
Nonetheless, Erdogan told reporters that “Russia is a main, key and very important player in establishing peace in Syria”, adding, “the problem needs to be solved with help of joint steps between Russian Federation and Turkey”. “This segment shall not be subject to any doubt and its implementation may start in the nearest future”, Putin said.
“Erdogan can threaten to huff and puff and threaten to blow the house down but at the end of the day it is a house made of bricks”.
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“This is an alliance of convenience, not a strategic relationship”.
