BREAKING: Putin, Erdogan Sign AEC Contract for Plant Construction - Progress on Landmark Nuclear Deal
Today in Ankara Vladimir Putin has announced quite a landmark event: the construction of the Turkish nuclear power plant has started. This is the Russian President's first foreign visit after the election. The solemnity of the meeting, organized and filled with symbolic details by Recep Erdogan, emphasized the importance of the event for both countries in every possible way.
Political observer Pavel Zarubin is reporting on the strategic cooperation and projects being discussed by the leaders of Turkey and Russia.
President Erdogan comes out on the turquoise carpet to meet Vladimir Putin. The visit is considered official and should imply no flamboyant welcoming ceremony, but the Turkish side insisted on the latter. President Putin's motorcade is accompanied by cavalry. There's a live broadcast on Turkish TV. Drones with live cameras are flocking in the air. There's a guard of honor and even medieval knights. The Turkish side welcomed Vladimir Putin as warmly and solemnly as possible. As befits the guard of honor, officers try even not to blink, let alone talk to anyone.
Turkish musicians play all the three couplets and refrains of the Russian anthem. Erdogan and Putin are walking down the turquoise carpet. The points to stop at are specially marked. The Russian President addresses the guard of honor in Turkish, saying: "Hello, soldiers!"
Due to the terrorist threat security has been enhanced in Turkey. Our film crew saw how before the ceremony all the soldiers of the guard of honor had their guns checked to make sure they weren't loaded. A thorough examination of journalists is a must. Today the security check turned out a special performance. Today, it's landmark event of prime importance for Turkey.
A wind orchestra is playing Kalinka in front of the presidential palace. The atmosphere is solemn. Presidents Putin and Erdogan together launch the construction of the first Turkish nuclear power plant. The country's authorities say a half-century dream has been fulfilled.
The Akkuyu plant construction site is live. The construction is promised to be quick and thorough.
Vladimir Putin: "We'll do our best to be present at the launch of a new nuclear power plant in 2023. I am sure that people who live in this region of Turkey will be satisfied, they will see modern technologies, new good jobs. All of Turkey will feel the benefit from the work generated by this new high-tech plant. Congratulations on the start of the work!"
At the ground-breaking ceremony, the Minister of Energy presents the advantages of the project. It's a multibillion-dollar contract.
- In what way is it beneficial to Russia?
Alexander Novak, Russian Minister of Energy: "Of course, this brings about higher workload for our nuclear power engineering enterprises, it expands our competencies to other countries and once again stresses Russia's leading role in the nuclear industry".
Construction noise, a stream of trucks, and the Russian flag visible from afar. Putin and Erdogan together order to pour first concrete castings.
Vladimir Putin: "In fact, today we witness not only the construction of the first Turkish nuclear power plant, but the laying of the groundwork for Turkey’s nuclear industry. We are creating a new industry".
But Russia and Turkey have many other large-scale projects. Putin and Erdogan discussed them at a bilateral meeting. The Turkish Stream gas pipeline is half-done. 55% of pipes have been placed on the bottom of the Black Sea.
Alexey Miller, Gazprom CEO: "We are to complete the first string of the gas pipeline in the first third of May to proceed with a receiving terminal and the second string. So, everything goes as planned".
Notorious tomatoes, as Yuri Ushakov, the President's aide responsible for international affairs, puts it, will be discussed too. It's still a painful issue for Turkey.
Seram Kaymak, a company's manager for vegetables and fruits exports to Russia: "We'd like to see Russian people eat our delicious tomatoes again. We have bright sun and fertile soil. But only 15% are supplied to Russia now".
Another major issue emphasized by Erdogan at the nuclear power plant ground-breaking ceremony didn't go unnoticed either.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's President: "We are implementing other strategic projects with Russia as well, including the S-400, the Turkish Stream, and many others".
Of course, those words were intended for Washington too as it urges not to buy Russian S-400 systems and threatens with sanctions. Ankara, on the contrary, asks Russia to accelerate the contract.
Vladimir Putin: "In the military-technical sphere, the contract for the delivery of S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems to Turkey is our priority. We believe that the prospects for further deliveries of modern Russian military products to Turkey will be substantively discussed during the forthcoming meeting of the corresponding intergovernmental commission".
Today Putin and Erdogan discussed all the nuances of the bilateral relations several times in private. Before talking to the delegations, they went to the balcony of the presidential residence. Then the meeting was held at a table huge enough for all the members of delegations. Erdogan got hungry after such a busy day and at some point began to eat nuts.
The two Presidents are certain to discuss Syria too, and tomorrow the president of Iran will join them. Iran is another major geopolitical actor of the region. The first summit was held in Sochi a few months ago. The Ankara meeting is expected to elaborate more steps to strengthen the truce.
Pavel Zarubin, Andrei Melnikov, Elena Menshikova, Aitadzh Jarchiveva, Vladimir Ozerov, and Dmitry Yarmolenko for Vesti from Turkey.