Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova’s reply to a media question on the Russia-Turkey expert consultations on phytosanitary issues.
Question: Would you comment on the media statements on the upcoming Russia-Turkey expert consultations on phytosanitary issues?
Maria Zakharova: It makes me wonder how some media, especially Turkish media, interpret the information on the talks between Russian and Turkish phytosanitary representatives, scheduled for April 26. The information is presented as if Russia intends to resume previous import levels of Turkey’s fruits and vegetables, in the context of the absence of any effort on Ankara’s part to normalise bilateral relations.
In fact, the information is relevant for expert-level technical interagency consultations aimed at discussing the numerous violations of phytosanitary requirements that exist for Turkish agricultural products intended for Russia, and not subject to the restrictions imposed by Russia.
Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation