Former Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 8, 2008.
(UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)
MOSCOW, July 19 (UPI) — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke with his Turkish counterpart Saturday in an effort to improve relations between the two nations, a spokesman says.Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin focused on economic and trade relations while speaking with Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ITAR-TASS reported.
The two prime ministers also discussed a group of young Russian travelers who endured a litany of problems during a visit to Turkey.
Erdogan assured Putin a Turkish official was en route to the Turkish city of Antayla to assist the young travelers with any difficulties.
Peskov told ITAR-TASS that Putin wants Russian Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy Vitaly Mutko to play a more active role in Russian tourism to ensure such international travel problems do not occur in the future.
Source: United Press International, July 19, 2008