MOSCOW, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep TayyipErdogan arrived in Moscow on Monday to discuss with Russian officials the further development of relations between the two countries, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on Monday.

    Erdogan said that the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ankara last month had become a pivotal point in bilateral relations.

    During that visit the joint declaration reached by the two sides on strengthening friendship and multifarious partnership confirmed the mutual desire to improve bilateral cooperation in all spheres, the Turkish prime minister said.

    Erdogan believes that the good relations between Moscow and Ankara will promote regional peace, stability and welfare and that in the whole Europe.

    He predicted if both sides exert more efforts, bilateral trade turnover may reach 15 billion US dollars this year, 25 billion in 2007, and 30 billion in the near future.

    "The increased trade between our countries puts Russia among the main economic partners of Turkey," Erdogan said.

    In his opinion, Turkish companies operating in the Russian market will be able to supply their products to Central Asian countries, and Russian energy companies investing their capital in energy projects in Turkey will be able to enter the European market with their products.

    Erdogan expressed hope that the bilateral economic relations will promote prosperity of many countries not only in Asia, but also in the Caucasus and Europe, according to the report. Enditem