Press release on the seventh meeting of the Russia-Turkey Joint Strategic Planning Group

On March 28-29, 2019 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov paid a working visit to Turkey (Antalya) at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Çavusoglu to take part in the seventh meeting of the Russian-Turkish Joint Strategic Planning Group acting under the Russian-Turkish High-Level Cooperation Council.

As part of the preparations for a regular meeting of the Russian and Turkish presidents, the foreign ministers discussed a broad range of bilateral and international issues.

The ministers exchanged views on key aspects of bilateral relations in various areas and prospects for their further development. They reaffirmed their shared interest in promoting mutually beneficial ties in trade, the economy and energy and consistently carrying out the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the ‎Akkuyu nuclear power plant projects in Turkey. The ministers also talked about the need to improve contractual regulations. The plan for consultations between the foreign ministries of the Russian Federation and the Turkish Republic for 2019-2020 was signed at the meeting.

Much attention was paid to the analysis of the situation in Syria and the Middle East in general. The importance of continued close coordination in countering terrorism and stepping up the search for political solutions to the Syrian conflict was emphasised. Developments in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and the Black Sea region were reviewed, as well as cooperation within international organisations.

The results of the meeting demonstrated a high level of understanding between the two countries and reaffirmed the importance of their political dialogue for enhancing international and regional security.