Putin: We are resolved to improve relations with a partner whom we respect much

ANKARA (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that he was sure that his visit to Ankara would facilitate opening of new horizons to Turkish-Russian relations, stating that, ``we are resolved to improve relations in the highest level whom we respect much.``
     Making a keynote speech at dinner hosted by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Putin said commercial, economic and political relations which continued between Turkey and Russia for long years tied the two countries to each other. He also said fate of the peoples of two countries were closely linked with each other.
     Putin said there was mutual support and fruitful cooperation in the histories of the two countries, noting that they would be in an effort to further improve Turkish-Russian relations by basing on the experiences of the past generations.
     Stating that they knew very well the efforts of Turkish people for modernization and the success they made, Putin said, ``I am sure that my visit will facilitate us to open new horizons to cooperation between Turkey and Russia both in economic and commercial sense.``
     Putin said there was willingness in both sides to make the dialogue between the two parties to be good and productive, and stated that he wished the efforts to lead to positive results for peoples of Turkey and Russia.
     Later Putin said he toasted his glass for Turkish President Sezer and his wife, to the improvement of relations between the two countries having brilliant future, and to the prosperity of the two countries.
     (AY)
2004-12-05