Ankara ‘s Formula: What to Expect from a Meeting between the Leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran
Today’s meeting of the heads of state – the guarantors of the Astana process in Ankara could be an impetus to normalize the situation in Syria.
Before the formal start of the summit, Vladimir Putin spoke separately with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and then with Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani, after which the three leaders met.
Following the results of previous summits in Sochi, Ankara and Tehran, important decisions were made aimed at ensuring long-term stabilization “on the ground” while continuing to fight terrorism; measures were agreed to improve the humanitarian situation and enhance the political process based on a common commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.
On the agenda of the current talks is the situation in Idlib and in the northeast; promoting the political process carried out by the Syrians with the assistance of the UN. And here the launch of the Constitutional Committee will be an important stage. In addition, the task of increasing assistance to all Syrians to return to peaceful life has become a part of talks. The recent incident in Saudi Arabia also influenced the negotiation agenda.
Putin’s meeting with Erdogan took place behind closed doors. But earlier in the Kremlin it was explained: leaders will talk about bilateral relations and international topics. According to the results of the last year, the commodity turnover grew by 15.8%. and amounted to 25.5 billion dollars, accumulated mutual investments – 10 billion dollars each. A draft intergovernmental agreement is being prepared to stimulate settlements in national currencies. One of the most important areas is joint projects in the energy sector: the construction of Akkuyu NPP and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. Another area of successful cooperation is military-technical relations. According to the plan, a contract is being implemented for the supply to Turkey of the latest S-400 Triumph missile systems. Last year, 6 million tourists from Russia visited the republic, and our country for the first time took first place on this indicator.
Strengthening trade and economic ties, the situation in Syria and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian Nuclear Program were on the agenda of the talks between Putin and Rouhani. Last year, trade grew by 2 percent. – up to 1.7 billion dollars. In January – June it has already increased by 17 percent. Leading Russian oil and gas companies are exploring the possibility of developing large deposits in Iran. Work is underway at the site on the second stage of the Bushehr NPP and the first concrete pouring ceremony will take place soon. The construction project of TPP “Sirik” on the Persian Gulf is being implemented. An interim agreement has been signed leading to the formation of a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran.
