Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan participated virtually in the inauguration of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant on Thursday. Putin praised Moscow’s growing energy and broader economic ties with Ankara.
The Akkuyu nuclear power plant was constructed by the Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom, and on Thursday, the first nuclear fuel was loaded into the first power unit at the site in the southern Turkish province of Mersin.
Putin said via video link, “This is a flagship project.” “It’s good for business on both sides and will help cement the many facets of cooperation between our countries.”
Putin called Akkuyu “the largest nuclear construction project in the world” and said it would reduce Turkey’s reliance on natural gas imports from Russia.
When Putin voiced his support for Erdogan’s Akkuyu plans, Erdogan responded by saying, “We will take steps to build a second and third nuclear power plant in Turkey as soon as possible.”