Turkey, Russia agree to sign agricultural framework deal, protocols

Russia currently imports 57,000 tonnes of chicken from Turkey per year. Minister Skrynnik, as part of the delegation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, visited the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Mehdi Eker in Ankara on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters following her meeting with Eker, Skrynnik said that she was pleased to witness developing ties with Turkey.

Thanks to the efforts of our ministries, Turkish exports of food to Russia increased by 14.70 percent in 2009, Skrynnik said. The relations between our ministries work as the engine of relations among other ministries. The agreements we will sign on Wednesday will promote our relations. We will continue to work with the same spirit, Skrynnik also said.

Mehdi Eker, in his part, said that Turkish and Russian relations developed fast. Agriculture is the engine of relations between Turkey and Russia. Based on our talks today, we have decided to sign an agricultural cooperation framework agreement and four protocols, Eker said.

We have done what governments could do for the export of chicken from Turkey. The rest is up to the efforts of the private sector, Eker also said.


/World Bulletin/