MOSCOW, May 5. /TASS/: Presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan expect that the countries will be able to resume tourism thanks to measures against the spread of the coronavirus taken by Turkey.
"The mutual opinion is that the measures taken to counter the epidemic will make it possible to achieve cardinal improvement of the situation and resume bilateral ties in the tourism sphere," the Kremlin said in a statement on Wednesday following their phone call.
The Kremlin added that Erdogan thanked the Russian side for cooperation.
Joint production of Sputnik V in Turkey
The presidents also discussed potential production of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine at Turkish enterprises and the supplies of that vaccine to Turkey starting in May.
"[They] considered in detail the topic of curbing the spread of coronavirus infections, also taking into consideration the epidemiological situation in Turkey," the Kremlin said.
According to the Kremlin, "it was emphasized that Russia stays ready to step up practical cooperation in that direction."
"In particular, it is a question of organizing supplies of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine at the soonest possible time, starting this month," the Kremlin noted adding that "joint production of the vaccine at Turkish enterprises is also being mapped out."
