Turkey’s Erdogan says wants to reset Russia ties from clean slateAugust 9, 2016 - 10:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency published on Monday, August 8 he wanted to reset relations with Russia from a clean slate and restart cooperation in a range of sectors, Reuters reports. Erdogan was speaking on the eve of a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg intended to end a period of high tension after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last November. Russia imposed trade sanctions on Turkey and the number of Russian tourists visiting the country fell by 87 percent in the first half of 2016. As Turkey's relations with Europe and the United States are strained by the fallout from its failed coup, Erdogan may be hoping his trip to Russia will give the West pause for thought. Erdogan, in his TASS interview, repeatedly referred to Putin as "dear" or "respected" Vladimir and called him a friend. "This visit strikes me as a new milepost in our bilateral relations, starting again from a clean slate," Erdogan told TASS. "A new page will be opened in Russo-Turkish ties. This new page will include military, economic and cultural cooperation." Photo: Radikal Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |