Russia-Türkye talks to focus on trade, energy, Syria at Antalya Forum

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, on April 12, during the fourth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

The meeting, which is expected to cover a wide range of regional and international issues, will be held on the sidelines of the forum in Antalya, Türkiye, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov’s participation in the forum comes at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. During the discussions, the two ministers will address various topics, including bilateral trade and economic relations, energy cooperation, and collaboration in finance, among others.

A key focus of the talks will be on sustaining the positive trade dynamics between Russia and Türkye, particularly amidst the negative impact of Western sanctions on their cooperation. The ministers will also discuss strategic projects such as the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the operation of the Blue Stream and Turkish Stream gas pipelines, which are vital components of the two countries' energy collaboration.

In addition to economic and energy matters, Lavrov and Fidan will touch on the latest developments in the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict and broader Middle Eastern issues. Russia will also emphasize its continued support for cooperation with Türkiye on Syria, especially in light of Ankara's significant involvement in the region. Russia has long maintained its commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and the two ministers will likely discuss ways to stabilize the situation in Syria, considering the evolving dynamics.

The discussions will also delve into matters related to the Transcaucasus region, including the unblocking of transport and communications routes and the post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

Furthermore, on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Lavrov is expected to deliver a speech outlining Russia's key positions on current global and regional issues. The Russian Foreign Ministry has indicated that Lavrov’s address will touch upon a range of topics of mutual interest, fostering continued diplomatic dialogue between Russia and its counterparts at the forum.

By Vafa Guliyeva