Russia, Turkey mull regional issues

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Istanbul today for a landmark visit due to focus on resolving differences with Turkey over the 20-month crisis in war-ravaged Syria, AFP has reported.

Putin landed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport and was due to head straight into a meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Russian strongman was originally due to travel to Turkey in early October, but the visit was postponed because of tensions over Syria and amid speculation about Putin's health.

In Istanbul on Monday, Putin and Erdogan will co-chair a high-level cooperation council meeting, a mechanism established between the two countries to foster ties. Putin is also due to speak by telephone with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Monday's trip marks Putin's first outside Russia since he visited Tajikistan on October 5 and follows speculation that the normally globe-trotting leader is having health problems.

Russian media reports have said Putin is suffering from a back injury, caused possibly by a bad fall while playing his favourite sport judo or falling off his horse.

His aides admitted Putin was suffering from a light sports injury when he was spotted limping at an Asian summit in September, but have denied ever since that this had had any impact on his schedule.



/hurriyetdailynews.com/