Russia-Turkey seal reconciliation with a strategic energy deal

The Russian and Turkish presidents, in Istanbul, agreed on a project to build an undersea pipeline to get Russian gas to Turkey and then onto Europe.

Ministers signed the TurkStream accord on the sidelines of the World Energy Congress.

It is the latest sign of rapprochement since Ankara expressed regret for shooting down a Russian fighter plane over the Turkish-Syrian border last November.

Despite deep differences on the Syrian conflict, the leaders were keen to show they are seeking common ground – President Erdogan saying he and his Russian counterpart had discussed cooperation especially for the people of Aleppo and what sort of strategy could be applied to bring peace to the area.

While Turkey backs rebels fighting the Syrian regime, Russia is supporting President Assad with a massive air campaign.

“We talked about the (Turkish) military operation in Syria and we discussed about what more can be done regarding our cooperations. Specially for the people in Aleppo, what kind of cooperation and strategy, we should apply in order to bring peace in the area,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“We have a joint position when it comes to doing everything to deliver humanitarian aid to Aleppo,” the Russian President said.
“The question is over the provision of security for delivering this aid – to avoid provocations with the bombing of humanitarian convoys,” he added.

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Russia denies its warplanes were behind last month’s deadly air strike on an aid convoy near Aleppo.

Its warming relations with NATO members Turkey come as both countries deal with troubled economies and strained ties with the West.