Dmitry Medvedev: Russia, Turkey set ambitious goalsJanuary 13, 2010 - 17:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia and Turkey have set ambitious goals, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev finds.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised energy cooperation with Turkey on Wednesday and said he looked to joint efforts in addressing regional disputes. Meeting with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at his country residence near Moscow, Medvedev highlighted joint gas and oil projects: "We are happy to maintain serious cooperation in this sphere." Russia and Turkey signed energy deals in August 2009, which will support Turkey's drive to become a regional hub for gas and oil transits while helping Moscow diversify supply routes and potentially maintain its monopoly on natural gas shipments from Asia to Europe. Turkey allowed Russia's Gazprom to use its sector of the Black Sea for the South Stream pipeline to pump Russian and Central Asian gas to Europe bypassing Ukraine. And Russia agreed to join a consortium to build the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. The two states also agreed to expand the existing Blue Stream gas pipeline for possible shipments via Turkey to Cyprus and Israel. Russia was also reported to be seeking to take part in the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plants. Echoing the Russian leader, Erdogan highlighted the importance of energy ties and said their countries enjoy "an exemplary cooperation" in the sector. Medvedev said he hoped Erdogan's current visit will promote "stronger ties between our countries," which he said were important for "addressing complicated regional problems," RIA Novosti reported 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |