Russia and Turkey plan to increase range, volume of agricultural produce trade

ANKARA. Nov 27 (Interfax) - Russia intends to increase the import of Turkish agricultural products, including by expanding the range of such imports, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Saturday at a meeting of the two countries' intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.

"Russia is taking steps to ramp up the import of Turkish agricultural products. We have agreed to work to enlarge the volume and range of agricultural products that are supplied to the markets of our countries," Novak said.

Mutual trade between Russia and Turkey grew by 4.2% in January-September 2023 year-on-year, and measures to ensure the safety of food products supplied to the markets of both countries have been bolstered, the Russian government said.

Novak also underscored the importance of developing relations in tourism, estimating this year's tourist flow from Russia to Turkey at over 5 million, which is a record high figure.

"We will keep working to improve transport accessibility and the usage of non-cash payments," he said.

Turkey accounted for 22% of all trips abroad by Russian tourists in the first three quarters of 2023, making up 13.2% of the overall number of Turkey's foreign visitors over that period, the Russian government said.

A source familiar with the situation told Interfax that Russia is holding talks with Turkey on certifying Russian enterprises that produce milk and livestock products, including duck and goose meat.

Following the event, Russia and Turkey signed the meeting protocol and a memorandum of understanding between the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadaster of Turkey's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Russia's Federal Service of State Registration, Cadaster and Cartography.