(16 Dec 1997) Turkish/Nat
The Russian Prime Minister said on Tuesday he expects Turkey to become an important economic partner for his country during the next century.
Viktor Chernomyrdin and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz talked to Turkish businessmen during a visit to Istanbul.
The Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday for a meeting with top Turkish businessmen.
He was joined by Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, who was flying from the Turkish capital Ankara.
Chernomyrdin is on the third day of a visit to Turkey aimed at boosting economic ties between the two countries.
Trade between the two countries is worth about 12 (b) billion dollars.
But their relations have been soured by the sale of Russian missile to Greek Cypriots.
Turkey fears the missiles may be used against itself.
Another thorny issue between them is Russia's desire to use the Turkish straits to carry oil to Western markets from Azerbaijan.
Turkey says the shipments pose great environmental risks.
Tanker collisions in the Bosphorus strait, the sole outlet to the Mediterranean Sea from the Black Sea, have caused oil spills and fires and shut down the strait for days.
But despite their differences the two sides have signed several deals to encourage mutual investment.
SOUNDBITE: (Turkish)
"We agreed that security has the primary importance. We have also agreed that we should be careful not to endanger the unity of the countries and economic stability in the region."
SUPER CAPTION: Mesut Yilmaz, Turkish Prime Minister
They also agreed to a 20 (b) billion dollar natural gas deal.
According to the 25-year gas deal, the sides will build a 1,213-kilometer (758 mile) pipeline between Isobilneye, a southern Russian city, and Ankara, the Turkish capital.
The proposed pipeline will have a carrying capacity of 16 (b) billion cubic meters and its construction is expected to be finished by the early 2000s.
Turkey currently receives six (b) billion cubic meters of Russian gas a year via Bulgaria.
Another deal to buy eight (b) billion cubic meters of gas from Russia via Bulgaria was
expected to be signed during Chernomyrdin's visit.
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