Russia to reduce gas prices for Turkey by 6%

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will reduce gas price for Turkey by six percent starting from January 1, 2015, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara, Putin said that Russia realises Turkey’s energy needs and is eager to meet those needs and would increase gas exports to Turkey, as well as to exporting it to European countries via Turkish territory.

Putin said Russia pays special importance to Turkey, especially regarding solving the Syrian crisis, pointing out that the two countries have agreed about the need to stop the ongoing chaos in Syria, and that they hold regular meetings with everyone involved in the crisis.

The Russian president said that his country limited contact with the Syrian government for many reasons, and that Moscow is unable to directly influence events in Syria.

He said the main issue in Syria is finding a common ground to achieve security and equality among all people, stressing the need to continue talks until a comprehensive solution that would satisfy all the political forces and the Syrian people is reached.