Turkey’s growing strategic importance as a gas transporter is the focus of talks in Russia between the countries’ leaders.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan met Russia’s president and Prime Minister in Moscow, with energy high on the agenda.
The Turkish government recently agreed to support Russian plans for a major new gas pipeline – South Stream – across the Black Sea into Europe.
Meanwhile, the EU wants Turkey to join a rival pipeline project, Nabucco.
“The energy sphere has a very important significance,” Mr Erdogan said on meeting President Dmitry Medvedev.
“Not only in the sphere of natural gas, but in crude products there exists a whole series of opportunities… I see this meeting as a huge opportunity,” he added.
Mr Medvedev hailed the countries’ “serious and major” co-operation.
“The Russian-Turkish relationship is improving. It is really a strategic partnership,” he said.
[adrotate group=”6″]
