During the meeting, Vice Governor O.A. Markov raised the issues of bilateral cooperation with Turkey.
During the meeting, Vice Governor O.A. Markov raised the issues of bilateral cooperation with Turkey, noting the participation of the Turkish leadership in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the active presence of Turkish construction companies in the St. Petersburg market, including the implementation of major infrastructure projects such as the construction of the central WHSD section, new Pulkovo Airport terminal and tourism development, but insufficient interaction of St. Petersburg with the Turkish partnering city of Istanbul.
According to O.A. Markov opinion, ties between the two cities could be intensified in the area of urban management, improved transport infrastructure, waste management, social services, protection of historical heritage and culture. Promising areas of general cooperation between St. Petersburg and Turkey, as noted St. Petersburg Vice-Governor, is the participation of Turkish companies in the construction of convention and exhibition facilities, the development of industrial clusters (automotive, shipping, pharmaceutical, IT-technologies), exchange of experience in the field of transport infrastructure, the close contacts in the field of higher education and further development of tourism.
Consul General of the Republic of Turkey Tanju Bilgic, in its turn, additionally informed about the planned construction of two five-star hotels in St. Petersburg (the projects "Elite" and "Ich" with the participation of Ich-Bank). In addition, the Consul General of Turkey drew attention to the insufficient number of flights between Istanbul and St. Petersburg. Within the framework of cultural cooperation Tanju Bilgic informed about plans to hold in 2014 the second festival of the Russian-Turkish culture in St. Petersburg.