Turkey's Simsek lauds "positive" talks in Russia on rebuilding ties

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Wednesday his talks in Moscow with Russian officials on improving bilateral economic ties after a period of strain had taken place in "a very positive atmosphere". Moscow imposed trade sanctions on Ankara over the Turkish shooting down of a Russian jet near the Syrian border last November, but the countries have now signalled a desire to rebuild relations. Simsek, speaking in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk, said he had found the Russian officials "constructive, well-intentioned and supportive" during their talks in Moscow on Tuesday. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on August 9. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun; Editing by Gareth Jones)