Erdoğan: Turkey Has Entered the Final Stage of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says Turkey has entered the final stage of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, and that the opening of the plant will be followed by steps toward the opening of additional nuclear power plants.

Erdoğan made the remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where he was attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Heads of State Summit.

Erdoğan Meets Putin in Bishkek

Erdoğan travelled to Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he held talks with a number of heads of state and government.

During the summit, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Ala Archa State Residence.

Speaking during their joint press statement, Erdoğan highlighted the current state of relations between Turkey and Russia, as well as cooperation in tourism, energy and agriculture.

Akkuyu Has Entered Its Final Stage

Referring to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Erdoğan said the project has now reached its completion phase.

He said Turkey was waiting for the plant to be completed so that its opening could take place, adding that the inauguration of Akkuyu would also be accompanied by steps toward opening other nuclear power plants.

Erdoğan said Turkey and Russia have strong cooperation in both agriculture and energy.

He also underlined the importance of Russian tourism to Turkey, noting that Russian visitors make up a particularly important part of Antalya’s tourism market.

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is being built in Mersin with Russian cooperation and is expected to become Turkey’s first nuclear power plant.

Turkey Russia Energy Cooperation

Akkuyu has become one of the most significant projects in Turkey Russia relations, particularly in the energy sector.

Erdoğan’s latest comments indicate that Turkey sees the completion and opening of Akkuyu not simply as the conclusion of one major project, but also as part of a wider expansion of nuclear energy in the country.