Turkey, Russia discuss cooperation on Moscow's coronavirus vaccine

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed cooperation on Moscow's recently registered coronavirus vaccine in a phone call.

According to the Kremlin press service, the sides "noted the importance of expanding cooperation among the concerned agencies to fight the spread of coronavirus, also in connection with the registration of a coronavirus vaccine in Russia."

During the phone call on Aug. 17, Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of Russian tourists in Turkey which has reopened after the coronavirus lockdown, TASS cited the Kremlin as saying.

"In view of the restart of regular flights to Ankara and Istanbul, as well as resort areas, Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of ensuring sanitary-epidemiological safety of Russian nationals staying in Turkey," it said.

Besides, the presidents focused on certain issues on the bilateral agenda, including the expansion of trade and economic partnership. They agreed to continue contacts at different levels.

The Kremlin said that the two leaders focused mainly on the crisis in Libya, where they back opposing sides, highlighting the need to make real steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.

The Turkish presidency said Putin and Erdoğan also discussed a dispute between Turkey and Greece over energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, saying they "emphasised the importance of continuing close cooperation and dialogue."

The Kremlin said they agreed to step up anti-terrorism efforts in Syria, after reports on Aug. 17 that a Turkish-Russian joint patrol was hit by a blast in the Idlib region. The Turkish presidency said Putin and Erdoğan agreed to continue dialogue through diplomatic and military channel on Syria.