An agreement to this effect was reached during the Russian parliamentary delegation’s visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko met with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş in Ankara.
“In recent time, relations between our two countries have made substantial progress. Their efficiency is determined to a decisive degree by the intensive and trust-based dialogue at the top level, which sets the pace and tone of the entire work, including parliamentary effort,” Valentina Matvienko stated.
According to Ms Matvienko, Moscow and Ankara effectively coordinate efforts in regional and international affairs as well as in a number of sectors, including energy, although their stances on certain international issues may differ. The two countries’ interaction is of a truly strategic nature. “Our relations are based on the principles of equality, shared benefit, mutual respect, and balance of interests,” Valentina Matvienko stressed. She noted the consistent strengthening of Türkiye’s economic potential and political standing on the international scene.
The Speaker believes that inter-parliamentary ties and their advancement are of much importance. “They are largely responsible for creating a climate of interaction and the necessary legal framework, as well as for boosting friendship and cooperation,” she noted.
The parties discussed the activities of friendship groups, the launch of a high-level joint commission by the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Turkish Parliament, and bilateral contacts between young lawmakers. Valentina Matvienko backed the Turkish initiative to expand ties and exchanges of best practices between the Executive Offices of both parliaments.
The Federation Council Speaker commented favourably on growing indicators of bilateral economic cooperation and a high potential inherent in the development of inter-regional ties. The interlocutors also mentioned the economy, energy, tourism, education, and culture as major contributing factors to more extensive cooperation.
According to Valentina Matvienko, there is much potential inherent in exchanges of legislative experience in protecting traditional, including family, values. “I know that Turkey has announced 2025 as Year of the Family. The authorities implement a state policy aimed at protecting the family and children. A number of new measures to support mothers have come into force, including financial ones; the institution of the family is being strengthened. We in Russia also pay much attention to this matter. Last December, the Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy was established,” Valentina Matvienko, whom the President appointed Chair of the Council, said.
Numan Kurtulmuş praised the high level of bilateral relations between the leaders, parliaments, governments, and foreign ministries. He confirmed Turkish lawmakers’ commitment to enhancing interaction with their Russian counterparts both bilaterally and on international parliamentary platforms, and expressed confidence that the present Russian visit will lead to positive outcomes.
Numan Kurtulmuş also stressed that his country will go on with its mediation to settle the conflict in Ukraine and make every effort to promote the constructive dialogue on the platform in Istanbul. He added that Russia-Türkiye interaction is essential in the context of international efforts to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and restore stability in Syria.
Following the meeting, Valentina Matvienko and Numan Kurtulmuş told journalists that the talks were informative and productive, and focused on the legislative support for economic cooperation, advancement of inter-regional cooperation, and promotion of parliamentary collaboration. The Russian and Turkish lawmakers expressed an intention to provide parliamentary support for initiatives advanced by the Russian and Turkish leaders and reaffirmed their readiness to contribute to attaining the ambitious task to bring the mutual trade to the level of $100 billion, as set by Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They stressed the importance of further cooperation in gas and nuclear power generation.
The Federation Council Speaker thanked the Turkish leaders for their efforts to promote peaceful conflict settlement in Ukraine.
She also expressed gratitude to the Turkish side for their hospitality and a warm reception granted to the Russian delegation.
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Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko was leading a Federation Council delegation on an official visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
The visit began with a tribute at the Anitkabir mausoleum complex in Ankara, where the Russian delegation took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatüturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
The delegation included Deputy Federation Council Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov, and Member of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs and Member of the Group for Cooperation with the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Nadezhda Ilyina.