Long time rivals, Turkey and Russia appeared determined to leave aside their differences and concentrate on developing cooperation during the recent three-day visit by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. There are indeed many areas where the two neighbors share common interests.
Turkish contractors are very active in Russia while Moscow is Turkey's main supplier of natural gas.
Energy cooperation was one of the main focus during the Russian premier's visit. Kasyanov travelled to the Black Sea port of Samsun to inspect the site of the ambitious Blue Stream pipeline project which, by 2007, will to supply 16 billion cubic meters of much needed natural gas every year through a pipeline running under the Black Sea. First output is expected at the end of next year. In the meantime, to alleviate Turkey's acute shortage, Moscow plans to export more gas through the existing pipeline which meanders through Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The Turkish government, which has already agreed to buy electricity from Georgia, also discussed with Kasyanov the possibility of buying 100 million Kwh per month from Russia through the Georgian grid.