Updated 11:50 p.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed international issues in a telephone conversation with a particular emphasis on threats posed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, the Kremlin press service said in a Saturday statement.
"While exchanging opinions on international issues, the emphasis was put on threats posed by the Islamic State terrorist group," the statement said.
The presidents also discussed matters concerning the bilateral relations of Russia and Turkey. Putin and Erdogan spoke in favor of further development of Russian-Turkish trade and economic relations, including cooperation in the field of agriculture and technology.
The Islamic State (IS) is an extremist group that has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June 2014, it launched attacks in northern Iraq and announced the establishment of a caliphate on the territories under its control in both countries.
The United States started launching airstrikes against IS militants in Iraq in August. In September, US President Barack Obama announced the formation of an international anti-IS coalition that has been launching airstrikes against IS positions in Iraq and Syria. Russia and Turkey have not taken part in the airstrikes.
