OREANDA-NEWS. October 20, 2009. Abdullah Gul advised that in line with understandings reached at the high and top levels, the Turkish government has made all the necessary decisions on issuing permits for geological exploration within Turkey’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, required for implementing the South Stream gas pipeline project.

Dmitry Medvedev thanked Abdullah Gul and welcomed the decision as a further step in strengthening the strategic nature of Russian-Turkish relations.

During the conversation, the leaders also discussed various aspects of cooperation within multilateral organisations on important issues on the international agenda.

The conversation was initiated by the Turkish side.