Russia, Turkey to discuss ‘tomato issue’ in August

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Russia’s tomato imports from Turkey will be discussed on Aug. 18 in the Aegean province of İzmir, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on July 25.

“In my opinion, the soonest consultations will take place during the fair in İzmir on Aug. 18. We have a delegation and colleagues who are going to discuss the topic there,” Dvorkovich was quoted as saying by the TASS Russian news agency.

Dvorkovich added it was too early to talk about possible outcomes of the talks.

On June 2, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree lifting the ban on some agricultural produce and Turkish companies involved in construction, engineering and tourism in the aftermath of the downing of a Russian fighter jet in 2015. 

Following the lifting of the sanctions, only two restrictions are left for Ankara, the issue of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and tomatoes. Consultations on the seasonal admission of Turkish tomatoes to the Russian market will continue during the summer, said Dvorkovich.