ANKARA - Russian Premier Vladimir Putin was expected to visit Turkey in August, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his meeting with Patriarch Kirill of the Moscow Orthodox Church in Ankara on Monday.
Officials quoted Kirill as saying that the current relations between Turkey and Russia were at a very good level.
Kirill said in the meeting that they had close relations with the religious authorities in Turkey.
Russia welcomed and fully supported the initiative, "Alliance of Civilizations," co-sponsored by Turkey and Spain, Patriarch Kirill said.
Premier Erdogan told Kirill in the meeting that the two countries had deep-rooted relations, which have been advancing every day. "Russia is the first partner of Turkey now. It plays a leading role in the sectors of energy, tourism and construction," Erdogan said.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow arrived in Turkey on Saturday and visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, and had a meeting with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.
Patriarchs Bartholomew and Kirill attended a Sunday prayer service at the Church of St. George in Istanbul. Patriarchs Kirill and Bartholomew inaugurated the church of the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul on Monday. (