Russia, Turkey weave closer economic ties

Historic rivals Turkey and Russia have spent centuries vying for influence in central Asia, the Balkans and the Caucasus. Most recently, they bickered over routes to carry energy resources to world markets and traded accusations that each supports the other's militant groups. But underneath that antagonism, the two have quietly woven a web of economic ties and are eyeing even closer cooperation. The process will receive an official consecration on Sunday, when Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Ankara in a visit rich in symbolism. Putin will be the first Russian leader ever to pay an official visit to Turkey. The Russian leader is to meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and oversee the signing of six cooperation agreements, including defense, finance and energy accords. The two-day visit "will be a new boost for Turkish-Russian relations," Sezer spokesman Sermet Atacanli said Friday.