ANKARA, September 30 (Itar-Tass) - Russian, Turkish, Abkhazian, Georgian and Azerbaijani scientists and experts have gathered in Ankara for an international conference, “The Caucasian War of the 19th Century: Realpolitik and ‘Memory Wars’”, to analyse the events due to the views of the Russian and Ottoman empires.
Rector of Turkish University of Economics and Technology Necip Camuscu said, “Turkey and Russia play a special role on the Eurasian space.”
“Since 1990 trade and economic cooperation has gained momentum. In the 2000’s political cooperation has prioritised. However there are certain problems in our relations,” Camuscu said.
Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov said the history of relations between Russia and Turkey “makes us to develop successful relations. Cooperation and competitiveness of Russia and Turkey in the Caucasus are of big interest for both countries”.
“I don’t doubt that today’s exchanges will allow both states to understand each other better and promote our relations,” the Russian ambassador said.
“Today Russian-Turkish relations develop dynamically. New effective mechanisms, for example the High-Level Cooperation Council, have been created. Businessmen seek to intensify trade and economic partnership. This will allow us to realise such projects as the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Turkey and bring trade to the amount of 100 billion dollars,” the Russian diplomat said.
In recent times cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Turkey have acquired more importance, Karlov said, adding, “I hope that a Russian culture centre will be opened in Ankara till the yearend.”