The Russian president informed his Turkish counterpart of the beginning of the pipe-laying work at the Turkish Stream pipeline’s deep-water section. Vladimir Putin also said he hoped it would be possible to meet the construction deadlines for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, according to Sputnik.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held phone talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan aboard an installation vessel, informing him that pipe-laying work has started at the Turkish Stream pipeline’s deep-water section. “Our projects with Turkey are developing in a way they are not developing with many other partners,” Putin said. “Where we spend years with different countries on various administrative approvals, with Turkey this is done in several months and undoubtedly happens as a result of your direct personal support.” Noting that the Turkish Stream construction agreement was signed in the fall of 2016, Putin pointed out that “work has already begun after seven months.”

Putin expressed confidence that it would be possible to meet the construction deadlines for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. He thanked Erdogan for the Turkish regulator granting a license for the Russian operator. ”If we continue moving in this pace with the work on other issues, we shall definitely fulfill the plans, in particular, will introduce the first NPP unit by the deadline,” the Russian president said.