In the latest sign of a thaw in relations between Russia and Turkey, the two countries have signed an agreement on building pipelines that will supply natural gas to Turkey and Western Europe.
The agreement on the Turkish Stream pipeline project was signed Monday by the Russian and Turkish energy ministers during a ceremony in Istanbul attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two presidents, who are attending the World Energy Congress in Istanbul, held talks earlier Monday.
According to the agreement, two pipelines will be built under the Black Sea by late 2019, with one delivering gas to Turkey, the other to Western Europe.
Russia has long been viewed Turkey as an alternative route to Ukraine for Russian gas heading to European markets.
The pipeline project was frozen after Turkish jets shot down a Russian warplane operating from a Syrian air base last November.
Russia,Turkey Sign Gas Pipeline Deal
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak (L) and his Turkish counterpart Berat Albayrak sign an agreement in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 10, 2016.