The MPs discussed current bilateral affairs, inter-parliamentary cooperation and international matters
The Federation Council hosted a joint meeting of its Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Turkish Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was held by Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev and Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Volkan Bozkir.
The MPs discussed current bilateral affairs, inter-parliamentary cooperation and international matters.
Konstantin Kosachev pointed out the mutual desire of Russia and Turkey to continue to develop bilateral relations.
Speaking about bilateral cooperation, Konstantin Kosachev highlighted the two countries’ efforts to promote mutually beneficial trade as well as economic ties. He said that bilateral trade increased by 30 percent in the period from January to August 2018, adding that the trend is certainly positive even if not record breaking.
Those at the meeting also talked about strengthening the agencies where the two countries work together and promoting their cooperation in them.
Konstantin Kosachev emphasised the possibility of interaction in the fight against terrorism in Syria. “Our two countries are ready for interaction in the bilateral and multilateral formats toward the main goal in Syria, that is, the suppression of sources of terrorism,” the Russian Senator said. He believes that the situation in Syria is at the top of the current Russian-Turkish agenda.
Volkan Bozkir spoke about the special importance of Russian-Turkish cooperation. “We have always looked at our bilateral ties from a long-term perspective,” he pointed out.
The meeting was attended by first deputy chairs of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov and Sergei Kislyak, deputy chairs Arsen Kanokov, Vladimir Lukin and Farit Mukhametshin, committee members Olga Timofeyeva and Sergei Tsekov, as well as member of the Federation Council Committee on House Rules and Parliamentary Governance and head of the Federation Council group on cooperation with the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Murat Khapsirokov.