Aspiration to further strengthen Russian-Turkish relations confirmed during Putin-Erdogan phone call - Kremlin

MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has wished his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan a happy 70th birthday, the Kremlin press service said.

Putin noted Erdogan's high authority "inside and outside his country, [his] many years of state service for the benefit of the Turkish people, and in particular, Turkey's strengthened position on the world stage." He also underlined Erdogan's significant personal input to the development of friendly Russian-Turkish relations. "The mutual aspiration for their further comprehensive strengthening was confirmed," the press service said.

The sides "agreed to continue contacts at various levels," it said.

In addition, Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Erdogan, the press service said.