Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to Putin's invitation in a very short time. Even though it is an unofficial visit, Erdogan carried out a landing operation in Russia, with hundreds of businessmen. Four ministers and about 30 deputies are accompanying the prime minister. The chairman of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Chamber of Industry, Salih Tuncer, is also among the delegation. In fact, the purpose of the Moscow visit is the inauguration of the Turkish Trade Center, which was built by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB) and the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), just next to the Kremlin.
Putin hosted Erdogan at Novo Ogareva, near Moscow, on the first day. The Russian leader generally entertains guests he considers important here. It is known that he had previously hosted German, French and British leaders here. Erdogan receiving special treatment in Russia also shows the point Turkish-Russian relations have reached and emphasizes the rapprochement between two countries.
There is no doubt that Turkish-Russian relations are experiencing their brightest days. Turkish businessmen have huge investments in Russia, particularly in the construction sector.
Turkish builders have their signatures on the most prestigious buildings rising all over Moscow, and at the moment, 2,000 construction activities are still continuing.
Relations are reciprocal; Russia also is also interested in privatization tenders in Turkey. Besides natural gas, Russia also wants production and distribution of electricity.
The rapprochement between two states has also resulted in different political evaluations; it is like an alternative to relations with the European Union (EU) or the United States. Interpreting the rapprochement in this context is not right. While Turkey is moving in the right direction with the EU on one side, it is also boosting its strategic partnership with the U. S. on the other side, and at the same time it can develop ties with Russia in every area at top level.
The Turkish Trade Center will be inaugurated at the Kremlin today, with Putin and Erdogan taking part. The center is a complex that has two separate functions. It cost about $60 million.
Erdogan and Putin came together at the Kremlin yesterday morning. Issues on the agenda were reviewed. Issues like Cyprus, energy, Iraq were tabled at the meeting. The Turkish prime minister asked Putin to help in lifting the isolation imposed upon the TRNC.
Erdogan introduced the businessmen in his delegation to the Russian leader. Putin delivered warm and important messages during his speech. The Russian leader said they support the Annan Plan and the ongoing economic isolation of the KKTC is unjust, especially after the referendum.
Putin also clarified the Russian veto at the United Nations Security Council: "Voting was before the referendum. We made this decision in order not to exert pressure on the Cypriots and we informed our Turkish counterparts about it." Putin also said they will seek ways of cooperation with Turkey when the Cyprus document arrives at the Security Council.
Putin indicated that trade volume between the two countries has reached a record level, and the target of $25 billion envisaged for 2007, as Erdogan had mentioned, could be realized. Putin also emphasized that Turkey's integration with the European Union would help boost relations with Russia even more and open up new horizons. The Russian leader perceiving Turkish-EU relations as complementary and facilitative rather than an alternative is significant.
At the end of his speech, Putin invited Erdogan to the victory celebrations that will be held in May. Erdogan responded to the invitation affirmatively, saying, "We will be in Moscow on May 9." Erdogan is pleased with the progress in relations with Russia. His pleasure also reflected in his speech: "If the point arrived at today had been mentioned 15 years ago, our answer would have been, mind your own business. We are building a future in a world where progress and change are being experienced."
Tunar from the TRNC also made a speech during the introduction ceremony. Without the slightest doubt, this has a symbolic meaning. Tunar demanded explicit support from Putin on the Cyprus issue. Developing Turkish-Russian relations in a multidimensional way and rapprochement are important; however, evaluating this development as an alternative to other relations is not right.
January 12, 2005
Moscow
