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The President of Turkey congratulated Vladimir Putin on the successful holding of the national vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

They continued their discussion of topical issues on the international agenda. In particular, they emphasised the importance of strengthening efforts to facilitate the Syrian settlement, including in the Astana format, based on the understandings on the outcome of the Russian-Turkish-Iranian summit (held via videoconference) on July 1. They commended the interaction between the Russian and Turkish defence ministries, which allowed the stabilisation of the situation in Idlib and in the North-East of the Syrian Arab Republic.

They stressed again the need for an early end to the armed confrontation and a return to negotiations in Libya on the basis of the decisions of the Berlin international conference, held on January 19, approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2510. They also agreed to invigorate joint political and diplomatic activities in this area.

The parties exchanged views on certain issues on the bilateral agenda, including the prospects of tourist exchange with the improvement of the sanitary-epidemiologic situation. The President of Russia appreciated the Turkish partners’ readiness to provide aid to a number of Russian regions in order to counter the spread of the coronavirus.

Vladimir Putin drew the attention of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the considerable public outcry in Russia over the decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The President of Turkey gave relevant explanations and noted that access to that unique monument of world civilisation would be guaranteed for all wishing to visit it, including foreign nationals, and the safety of the items sacred to Christians would be assured.

The heads of state agreed to maintain regular dialogue, including at the top level.