Turkish President Erdogan Meets Putin To Mend “Ties”

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, World News Tuesday, August 9th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As his relationships with some western nations continue to wane, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived St Petersburg with the main target of reviewing ties with Russia via talks with President Vladimir Putin.

It would be recalled that bilateral relationship between the two countries crumbled last November when Turkey shot down a Russian military jet on the Syrian border.

The West has been very critical on President Erdogan over the extensive crackdown against the recent failed coup plot suspects.

Turkey experienced a foiled coup attempt Friday July 15, resulting to death of many and massive purge within and outside the country‘s security Force.

Prior to his trip, Erdogan described his Russain counterpart, as his “friend” indicating that he wanted to open a new page in relations with Russia.

The Turkish Leader restated: “This visit strikes me as a new milestone in our bilateral relations, starting again from a clean slate”.

It would be recalled after Turkey shot down the Su-24 jet in November, Russia imposed trade sanctions and suspended her package tours to Turkey.

Ahead of the dispute, Russia used to be the major export market for Turkish fruit and vegetables – hence, hope that the visit will reopen the relationship.

Indications of resumed trade relationship emerged late last month when Russia resumed scheduled passenger flights to Turkey and said it was moving to resume charter flights.
The Tuesday trip by Mr Erdogan’s is his first foreign visit since the failed coup last month.