Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President Vladimir Putin: We are pleased to be in one of the most ancient parliaments in modern Europe.

However, wherever we hold such meetings, Mr Speaker, I should say that we are convinced that we are doing the right thing.

We are very grateful to the President of the Turkish Republic and the entire Turkish leadership for the recent boost they gave to our interstate ties. In this context, the development of inter-parliamentary ties is of particular importance. Parliamentarians represent the entire spectrum of the political life of the two countries, and every Russian and Turkish citizen. It is due to the parliamentarians’ efforts, that the development of intergovernmental ties is acquiring a serious basis. You determine the climate of cooperation and the relevant legislative framework.

We are happy to note that a group for friendship with Russia works energetically in the Turkish parliament, and our Turkish colleagues have recently been to Moscow.

I know that Mr Speaker has received an invitation to make an official visit to our capital, and on behalf of my colleagues, the speakers of both houses of the Russian Federal Assembly, I would like to reiterate this invitation. I hope that the President of the Turkish Republic, the Prime Minister, and you will have the chance to enjoy our hospitality, and that we will be able to return the warm welcome that we have received here during our visit to Ankara.

We are cooperating both in the bilateral format and within international organisations. The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation (BSEC) and its Inter-parliamentary Assembly were set up on the initiative of Turkey and Russia. We have many other areas for cooperation that require regular dialogue and groundwork. I am counting on the support of Russian and Turkish parliamentarians for the executive branch’s efforts. I think today’s meeting with businessmen will show how much this support is needed.