Turkey denies restricting Russian agricultural imports

By Zeynep Akyil

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Economy Ministry on Wednesday denied allegations by some media organs that the country had imposed restrictions on imports of Russian agricultural products.

"The news stories in question do not reflect the truth," a statement said adding "Turkey sticks to the signed agreement," referring to Monday's declaration signed between Turkey and Russia to remove restrictions on bilateral trade that had been placed after the shooting down of a Russian military jet in 2015.

The declaration -- signed in Istanbul by Deputy Premier Mehmet Simsek and Russian Deputy Premier Arkady Dvorkovich -- aims to normalize and develop economies, and enhance the current trade volume between Russia and Turkey.

Moscow took several measures against Ankara, including a ban on imports of Turkish agricultural products and ending visa-free travel for Turks after Turkey shot down a Russian military jet over an airspace violation in November 2015.

Since last summer, Russia has relaxed the measures and lifted bans on some products, particularly citrus fruits.