Turkish, Russian ministers meet in Kazan this month

Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said relations between Turkey and Russia have rapidly moved from winter to spring during the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting held in Shanghai, China, adding that officials will organize a grand opening in Kazan at the end of this month with Turkish and Russian ministers in attendance, stressing that the Turkish Stream and nuclear energy projects are gaining momentum.

Speaking to reporters after the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting, Zeybekci provided information regarding the bilateral meetings he held, particularly those with Russia, as well as future interactions with Russia and the steps that will be taken in the next period.

According to Zeybekci, Turkish firms have invested about $3 billion in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan. The opening of Şişecam A.Ş and Kastamonu Entegre was supposed to be held within the month of Ramadan, but it was later delayed. Pointing out that contacts were made with the relevant ministers during the meeting with Russian counterparts, Zeybekci said the economy and energy ministers of both parties will attend the opening ceremony which would be held on either July 25 or July 26. Indicating that responses from the ministers of agriculture and tourism are also expected to attend, Zeybekci said that they were proceeding full throttle with the deal which they hope will return Russian relations back to normal and bring completion to the previously interrupted procedures.

Zeybekci said Russia is more eager than Turkey and a rapid transition from winter to spring was expected in the agriculture, industry, services and contracting sectors since this problematic period did three times more damage to Russia than Turkey because Russia could restrain the prices of other countries due to its trade with Turkey. Stressing that the Turkish Stream Project would regain momentum, Zeybekci said: "The nuclear plant will be prioritized. I believe our relations with Russia will go further in the near future than before. Our negotiations in terms of being included in the Eurasia Customs Union will continue in a way that covers industrial products as well."