Putin, Erdogan agree to implement delivery of S-400 missile system

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday agreed to implement their contract to deliver the Russian S-400 missile systems to Turkey as planned and that the two countries may start joint development of high-tech military equipment.

"Our countries face the task of strengthening cooperation in the military-technical sphere. First of all, we are talking about completing the implementation of the contract for the supply of Triumph S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems," Putin said in a statement following his talks with Erdogan.

In September 2017, Turkey signed a deal with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defense system, which is the latter's most advanced long-range anti-aircraft missile system that can carry three types of destructive missiles. Turkey is the first member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to purchase the S-400 missile systems, which has provoked the discontent of the United States.

Putin said Monday that other "promising projects" related to the supplies of modern Russian military products to Turkey are also on the two countries' agenda.

"We may well embark on joint development and production of high-tech military equipment," he said.

According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the first batch of S-400 systems will be delivered to Turkey in July and activated this October.

Boost bilateral investment

Russia and Turkey will enhance investment cooperation and start more joint projects in various fields, Putin said during a joint news conference with Erdogan following their talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to Putin, the bilateral trade of the two countries in 2018 grew by over 15 percent and exceeded 25 billion U.S. dollars, while the volume of mutual investment is approaching 20 billion U.S. dollars.

While Erdogan said, "Our main goal is bringing the commodity turnover of Russia and Turkey to the level of 100 billion U.S. dollars from current 26 billion. From the strategic point of view, we will do everything possible to achieve the goals of bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and other fields."

The presidents discussed various aspects of Russian-Turkish cooperation, including energy.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Vladimir Putin meet in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

Putin noted the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey is "one of the key energy projects."

He also stressed that the two sides need to speed up the construction of the terminal on the Black Sea coast of Turkey so that the Turk Stream becomes operational by the year-end.

Russia is the largest supplier of natural gas to Turkey with 24 billion cubic meters being exported in 2018, which covers about half of the needs of the country, according to Putin.

(CGTN)