BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
TURKIYE- Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently paying an official visit to Ankara. Putin will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and other officials before departing tonight, because he has a full slate awaiting him in Moscow. We would have liked him to stay one more day, visit Istanbul and see the traffic on the Bosphorus. Maybe next time… Once we competed with Russia over Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Black Sea states, but now we are neighbors. The passage of oil and gas through Turkey is the most important issue of his visit, because the Turkish Straits won’t be able to bear heavier traffic. We’ll find better ways to deliver Russian gas to Europe.
During his visit, Putin will discuss Turkish investments in Russia and vice versa, as well as boosting trade, political and economic ties, Iraq, Caucasia, and maybe the US’ Greater Middle East Project. Putin’s visit has been eased by recent developments in Ukraine. The second round of presidential elections there was annulled by their Supreme Court and will be re-held on Dec. 26. Now the world is expecting no election fraud. Everyone will be watching to see whether those favoring the European Union or supporters of an alliance with Moscow will win. For me, even if the current political leadership wins, Ukraine will be close to Europe and start reforms to grow even closer. If supporters of the West win, these reforms will be accelerated and probably it will request EU membership in a few years. However, Ukraine will get on well with Russia in spite of this possibility. In any case, Putin’s visit to Turkey is an important event. From this pint forward, Turkish-Russian relations will grow stronger.