Turkish PM to visit Russia on Monday

ANKARA

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will pay an official visit to Moscow between Monday and Wednesday on the invitation of his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

According to a statement from the Turkish prime ministry Monday, Yildirim is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chairwoman of the Council of the Federation, Valentina Matviyenko.

He is later scheduled to speak at a conference at the MGIMO University.

Bilateral relations, particularly in economic field, as well as regional and international developments will be discussed during Yildirim's visit, the statement said.

The premier's expenses will be paid in ruble, as the "first concrete" step following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on trading with Russia in local currency, it added.

"We have taken steps to allow trade with Russia, China, and Iran in local currencies," Erdogan said Sunday.