Distinguished Participants,
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to address such a distinguished audience. Today, important aspects of Turkish-Russian relations will be discussed, and I am sure that our exchange will lead to valuable insights for foreign policy makers and practitioners. I would like to thank the organizers of this event, namely the International Strategic Research Organization of Turkey and the Institute of Oriental Studies of Russia, for providing us with this opportunity.

Dear guests,

As the two major countries of Eurasia, with their immense historical depth, distinct cultural characteristics and strong state traditions, Turkey and Russia have been in constant interaction for centuries, helping shape the destiny of their peoples and their common geography. This interaction had its ups and downs, its periods of rivalry and solidarity, of competition and cooperation. But at no point in our long history have relations reached the level and complexity we witness today. The steady and multi-faceted expansion of our cooperation in the last two decades has dramatically transformed the nature of our bilateral relations, moving Turkey and Russia ever closer together.

On the political front, the close dialogue at the highest level ensured an atmosphere of mutual trust and removed the artificial obstacles in the way of deeper cooperation. This shared understanding was officially institutionalized with the establishment of the High Level Cooperation Council in 2010. Reflecting the strong political will on both sides to sustain the momentum in bilateral relations, the Council acts as a steering mechanism to further our multi-dimensional cooperation.

Relations on the economic front, which form the backbone of our cooperation, have flourished starting in the early 1990s. During the last decade alone, bilateral trade has grown seven fold to reach 33 billion dollars in 2012, making Russia our second largest trading partner. Similarly, reciprocal investments have reached the level of 10 billion dollars, while the total value of the construction projects undertaken by Turkish companies in Russia has exceeded 40 billion dollars.

Our cooperation in the energy sector, which is of strategic nature, preserves its special place in bilateral relations. Besides remaining a leading energy supplier, Russia has now become a partner in establishing Turkey’s first nuclear power plant. The Akkuyu plant is the biggest stand-alone investment project in our history, and stands testament to the trust underlying our two nations’ growing ties.

Relations in the field of culture have followed the same positive pattern. I am proud to say that our new, visa-free regime has expanded the volume of reciprocal visits. 3,6 million Russian tourists visited Turkey last year alone, and we hope that number will continue to increase over time. Growing ties in the arts, academia and civil-society, as well as a notable increase in mixed marriages have all enriched our cultural exchange. The Civic Forum, functioning under the High Level Cooperation Council; as well as the Cultural Centers we plan to open reciprocally in the near future will further boost people-to-people ties.

Dear guests, Distinguished participants,

Turkish-Russian relations have made a qualitative leap forward in the last two decades. Yet, the potential scope for our cooperation extends far beyond this bilateral framework, covering a huge geography in, and possibly beyond, Eurasia.

The recent systemic changes in the global political landscape have not only opened new horizons for cooperation, but also created stronger incentives for joint action. In the West, the EU is passing through a difficult period economically and politically, which affects us all. In the Middle East, we see a dramatic transformation that is bound to alter the mentality of the entire region. Moving further east on the map, we see the rise of China and India, leaving little doubt that the 21st century will see a resurgence of Asia. And all these take place against the backdrop of growing integration and interdependence on a global scale.

In this fast-evolving international environment, Turkey and Russia can work together in devising tools of regional cooperation that reflect the dynamics and needs of the region. And when I talk about our region, I mean the Balkans, the broader Black Sea, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia combined. Endeavors such as the Black Sea Force and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization clearly show that we have the means and the capability to do this, as long as we stick to the “regional ownership” principle. Our flourishing cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization also reflects this mindset.

Regional cooperation was one of the main outputs of President Putin’s most recent visit to Turkey. During the talks, we decided to explore opportunities for further cooperation in Eurasia and the Balkans. These will probably set the scene for further work on other regions and themes. In other words, we are now intensifying and operationalizing our area-specific consultations with our Russian colleagues. I firmly believe that this will yield concrete projects to the benefit of all involved.

At this point, I cannot help but touch upon the Alliance of Civilizations. Turkey and Russia are both multi-ethnic, multi-religious countries that have vast first-hand experience of peaceful coexistence between communities of differing backgrounds. This experience is quite useful to further the Alliance’s initiative, which enshrines many shared values and fosters common goals. As such, I very much welcome Russia’s contribution to the Alliance, and encourage the participants to discuss ways of furthering this exemplary endeavor.

Distinguished participants, Dear guests,

Observers of Turkish-Russian relations over the last decades have had the chance to witness an amazing transformation. What started as economic cooperation in the 1990s was enriched in the 2000s with solid political dialogue. The early 2010s served as a period of consolidation. And we are only beginning to discover the things we can accomplish together. I am confident that the coming years will unveil the true potential of Turkish-Russian ties, including enhanced joint-regional action and international cooperation.

With that, let me conclude by expressing my gratitude to the organizers, for their work to further Turkish-Russian relations and for giving me the chance to address this respectable audience.

Thank you.