Putin, Erdogan discuss pandemic

MOSCOW－Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed issues related to the coronavirus pandemic and the Syrian conflict as well as other forms of cooperation in a phone call on Tuesday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

"Readiness was expressed to strengthen joint efforts in the fight against COVID-19, including through the ministries of health and other relevant organizations," it said, adding that they agreed to continue close coordination in order to ensure the return of Russian and Turkish citizens.

According to the statement, a substantive exchange of views continued on the Syrian conflict, including the implementation of the agreements on the Idlib de-escalation zone, primarily the March 5 additional protocol to the Sochi memorandum of Sept 17, 2018.

"The need for unconditional compliance with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic was reaffirmed," the statement said.

In addition, the talks touched on trade and economic cooperation, including joint projects in the nuclear energy sector and plans for agricultural and transport initiatives.

Russia recorded 5,236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, taking its nationwide tally to 57,999, the Russian coronavirus crisis response center said on Wednesday. Since the previous day, 57 infected people had died, pushing the death toll to 513, it said.

In Istanbul, Erdogan said that the curve representing COVID-19 cases in Turkey has begun flattening thanks to the country's timely measures.

"In Turkey, like all the world, we are conducting an intense struggle against the coronavirus outbreak," Erdogan told his party's central executive board via a video link.

Erdogan said the pandemic had become the biggest crisis since World War II in terms of its economic impact.

"It is important to be prepared for new situations that will emerge in the post-epidemic world in our region and our country," he said.

On Monday, Erdogan declared four days of lockdown in 31 provinces from April 23 to 26 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Turkey has so far recorded 90,980 coronavirus cases and 2,140 deaths, according to the latest figures announced by the health ministry.

Xinhua - Agencies