Putin points to progress in Russia-Turkey cooperation, growth in tourist flow

ANKARA, September 28./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted visible progress in the development of economic cooperation between Russia and Turkey and a growth in mutual tourism. "In discussing issues of cooperation in the trade-economic sector, we stated a sizable growth of bilateral trade, which grew 31.5 percent in the first seven months of 2017," Putin said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Last year we saw a 32-percent decline, while now we practically restored the lost positions in the first half-a-year, and will get a surplus in the remaining part of the year," he added. He also added that "the number of Russian tourists choosing Turkey as a holiday destination has grown - attention please - 11 times, reaching 2.5 million people," Putin said. According to the Russian president, "such visible progress has become possible due to consistent implementation of the agreements achieved at a session of the Russia-Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council held in Moscow in March and the following meetings with Mr. Erdogan". Read more