Putin praises Türkiye ties during talks with Fidan

MOSCOW

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Russian President Vladimir Putin during an official visit to Russia on Wednesday, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

The meeting took place in the Russian city of Kazan and was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov, according to the Kremlin.

In remarks released by the Kremlin, Putin said relations between Moscow and Ankara were "developing steadily" and described contacts between the two countries as "truly friendly."

Putin said bilateral ties continued to gain momentum and attributed their development in part to the role of  President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

He also asked Fidan to convey his best wishes to Erdogan and said he looked forward to discussing issues of mutual interest.

Fidan, in turn, conveyed Erdogan's greetings to Putin and said the region and the wider world faced a busy international agenda.

"There are many issues we need to discuss," Fidan was quoted as saying.