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Turkey, Russia put aside differences for ambitious economic projects

October 10, 2016 at 4:12 pm

Turkey and Russia are expected to put aside their differences over Syria in a push for ambitious economic projects.

President Vladimir Putin will be visiting his counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul today, to reaffirm their commitment to the planned TurkStream gas pipeline, which will pump Russian gas under the Black Sea to Europe.

The meeting between the two leaders, which may lead to bilateral trade between the two countries reaching $100 billion in the coming years, is reported to also include the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power station by Russia.

Sanctions imposed on Turkey by Russia, following the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkish fighter jets last year, are gradually being lifted.

The leaders will meet during the opening day of the World Energy Congress, which brings together key players from the energy sector.

Though the two countries remain at odds over the Syria conflict, they seem keen to set aside their differences, showing remarkable pragmatism.

Analysts have described the meetings as a “healing process” as both sides are eager to put the last 10 months behind them, aiming to focus on areas like energy where they have mutual interests in cooperation.

This move will also be seen as a message by Ankara to the west that Turkey can “go its own way”, after feeling let down by the United States and European Union in the wake of July’s attempted coup.