ANKARA, Dec 6 (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that his historic two-day visit to Turkey had strengthened sometimes shaky political ties between the two countries and underscored their joint efforts to combat terrorism.
"I would like to especially underline that the two countries' approaches on the struggle against terrorism are identical," Putin, the first Russian head of state to visit Turkey in 32 years, told reporters after talks with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
Putin said he was satisfied with the cooperation against terrorism between the two countries, which have often exchanged accusations of harbouring each other's dissidents.
"I would like to thank the Turkish people and state for the moral and political support they have extended to Russia's struggle against terrorism," he said.
Moscow has long accused Ankara of ignoring the activities of Chechen rebels on its territory, of failing to prevent Turkish citizens from joining their ranks and pro-Chechen groups from sending financial aid to the insurgents.
Turkey has categorically denied that it tolerates the rebels and responded with charges that Kurdish rebels fighting the Ankara government have found a safe haven on Russian soil.
The Chechen cause, however, enjoys widespread support in Turkey, home to large communities of Caucasian origin.
As Putin and Sezer met, pro-Chechen activists laid a black wreath before the gates of the Russian embassy here in protest against Putin's visit and to demand independence for the breakaway republic of Chechnya.
Ahead of Putin's visit, anti-terror police in Istanbul detained 12 people -- nine Chechens and three Turks of Chechen descent -- who had ties to "religious terrorist organizations" and "sent abroad aid money collected in Turkey," a police statement said.
A joint declaration on multi-dimensional partnership signed by Sezer and Putin, said Ankara and Moscow were determined to "efficiently use (bilateral) consultation and cooperation mechanisms" against terrorism.
Putin said flourishing commercial ties had resulted in the two countries' leaders forging a closer political relationship.
"The intense activities of businessmen from both sides and the millions of Russian tourists holidaying in Turkey impel the political leaders of both countries to further develop and strengthen ties," he said. "Today, we have succeeded in accelerating bilateral ties."
Trade between Turkey and Russia has skyrocketed since the end of the Cold War -- it was worth 6.8 billion dollars (5.1 billion dollars) in 2003 and is expected to reach 10 billion dollars by the end of this year.
The joint declaration said Ankara and Moscow would also boost ties between their armies and defense industries, encourage mutual private sector investment and futher develop cooperation in tourism and energy.
The declaration stresses both sides' commitment to maritime and environmental safety in the congested Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, a major outlet for Russian oil to world markets, but makes no mention of recent discussions on alternative routes.
Moscow is lobbying Ankara for the construction of a pipeline through northwestern Turkey to the Aegean to bypass the straits, while Turkey's favors a north-south pipeline from Ssamsun on the Black Sea to Ceyhan on the Mediterranean.
The two countries also signed a series of cooperation agreements, ranging from joint naval search-and-rescue operations to the defense industry, natural gas and trade.
Putin is scheduled to meet National Assembly Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and adress a gathering of Turkish and Russian business leaders before leaving Turkey later Monday.
Massive security measures have been put in place in Ankara for Putin's visit with several main roads closed to traffic and more than 3,000 police officers on duty.
12/06/2004 13:51 GMT - AFP