The Turkish Mediterranean resort city of Antalya hosted July 26 the 16th meeting of the Turkey-Russia Joint Economic Commission. Three major questions were discussed at the meeting.

First, the sides agreed to boost economic cooperation. Moscow and Ankara’s bilateral trade should reach the target of $100 billion “as soon as possible,” Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said at the joint meeting with the Russian delegation. “There is a serious potential between our countries; the governments are ready to provide all support to business people," she stressed.

According to Pekcan, relations between the two countries are becoming very close. She said, “The proof of this is the fact that despite the decline in global trade the level of trade between Turkey and Russia continues to grow. Russia with its energy resources has great potential and is one of the most important economies in the world. Our countries really complement each other."

“The leaders of our countries set an ambitious task to boost trade turnover to $100 billion,” Alexander Novak, Russia’s energy minister, said. “The upside for mutual investments is in such spheres as space, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies, in addition to traditional industries such as agriculture, construction, metals and energy.”