Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) is seen with his counterparts Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan (2nd L), and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (L) during the 23rd World Energy Conress in Istanbul, Turkey, October 10, 2016.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Istanbul on Monday, an official said, on his first trip to Turkey following a crisis sparked by the shooting down of a Russian war plane over Syria last November, Agence France-Presse reported.

He is due to hold talks with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and to attend an energy congress during the one-day visit.

The pair have met on two occasions since a June deal to normalize ties after the plane crisis — in Putin’s home city of Saint Petersburg and then on the sidelines of the G20 in China.

Putin is due to address the opening day of the World Energy Congress followed by talks with Erdogan inside the Ottoman-era Yildiz Palace from 1500 GMT.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA Novosti on Sunday that the meeting of the two leaders will focus on restoring Russian-Turkish relations “in all aspects.”

The two are also expected to advance joint energy projects, including Russian plans for a natural gas pipeline, called “Turkish Stream,” that would carry gas beneath the Black Sea to Turkey and to European markets. Russia is also building Turkey’s first nuclear power station.

Differences remain on Syria. While Moscow has backed Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout the nation’s civil war, Turkey has pushed for Assad’s removal and helped his foes.

Turkey, Russia joint investment fund

Meanwhile, Turkey and Russia will establish a joint investment fund with capital of $1 billion, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci was reported as saying by state-run Anadolu Agency.

Relations between Russia and Turkey soured in November 2015, after the downing of a Russian fighter jet by the Turkish military.

They have since have made progress towards restoring ties, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin holding talks. The two leaders were due to meet again on Monday in Istanbul at World Energy Congress meeting.

Zeybekci made the announcement at a ceremony to sign a joint declaration on establishing the fund after meeting Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyulkayev in Istanbul on Sunday, Anadolu said.

Zeybekci was reported as saying Turkish and Russian investment funds would both provide $500 million each for the establishment of the fund and its capital could be increased beyond $1 billion if needed.

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