During this summit, the Komsomolskaya Pravda journalist managed to talk with the official representative of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov.
Photo: Vladimir VELENGURIN. Go to Photobank KP
Negotiations between the SCO heads of state began in Astana on Wednesday, July 3.
During this summit, the Komsomolskaya Pravda journalist managed to talk with the official representative of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov…
… – Dmitry Sergeevich, how is everything going with Turkish President Erdogan?
– Everything is fine. (We are talking about a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin. – AG)
– I mean – preparation, all the problems that worried us before, they’re all solved now, right?
– No, not everything has been resolved. All the problems that were not being worked on have been resolved. When there is a lot of work and a very wide range of bilateral relations, various problems inevitably arise.
But there is political will to resolve them and there is also the necessary level of bilateral trade relations and economic interaction.
Therefore, this is a completely normal working process.
– And the fact that Belarus is now joining the SCO, what will this bring to Belarus and Russia? And is this another step towards strengthening our allied relations?
– We welcome Belarus’ accession to the SCO. This is our very important ally. And accession to the SCO is in the interest of Belarus and, of course, will be a great asset for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Therefore, it is in our mutual interest.
– They delayed something for a long time, didn’t they?
– No, well, the process of expansion of the SCO is gradual and, of course, it takes time. You know that the number of people who want to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is quite large. That is why tomorrow at the summit this topic will also be discussed: the processes of expansion.
– Does Putin plan any informal meetings with President Lukashenko? Or just official ones?
– Of course, there will be communication on the courts. They will be here together at the summit.
– Do you live anywhere nearby?
– They will work all day together tomorrow.
WHAT ELSE DID PESKOV SAY?
This morning, the President’s press secretary also answered questions from representatives of other media outlets.
Ask:
– Was the meeting with Erdogan an initiative of the Turkish side?
Peskov:
– No, it was a mutual initiative. But the topic of President Putin’s visit to the Turkish Republic remains on the agenda; it will certainly take place in due time, as soon as the schedules of the two Presidents can be agreed upon. But today will also be a good opportunity to discuss the prospects for such a trip.
Ask:
– Will there be a large delegation at the meeting with Erdogan or will it be an individual meeting?
Peskov:
– So far, the delegations plan it, but many times the president decides to move the conversation to face-to-face mode and then it will be done.
Ask:
– What level have our relations with China reached today?
Peskov:
– …We have developed trade and economic relations with China, we have a very large trade volume with China, which, as you know, amounts to 200 billion dollars. 220 somewhere. There are also certain problems, but such a wide area cannot be without problems. But we are solving everything quite successfully and continuing the dialogue. We work through many working groups and joint commissions. And this work will continue. At the same time, yes, we cooperate with China in all areas, including sensitive ones.
Ask:
– Are contacts with Qatari leaders possible?
Peskov:
– We do not exclude future contacts with Qatar. But they are still at the coordination stage, because tomorrow there is a very busy agenda in multilateral affairs. Therefore, if it is successful, it can also happen.
Ask:
– There have been reports in the Western media that Trump is allegedly in talks with Putin on the conditions for achieving peace with Ukraine. Is there really such a dialogue?
Peskov:
– No, that’s not true.
