Putin signs decree to lift some economic restrictions from Turkey

MOSCOW, May 31 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to lift some economic restrictions from Turkey, the Kremlin said in a statement on Wednesday.

The decree lifted restrictions on operation of Turkish companies in some spheres in Russia, and a ban on employment of Turkish citizens by Russian companies.

In March, Turkey slapped a 130% duty on imports of Russian wheat, corn and other products cancelling the country’s duty-free regime. The market saw the step as an attempt to exert pressure as Russia is yet to unban imports of Turkish tomatoes and some fruit after an earlier conflict involving downing of a Russian Su-24 jet by Turkish air forces.

On May 3, President Vladimir Putin after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Moscow and Ankara will abolish all mutual trade restrictions except for Turkish tomatoes. On May 22, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the two countries agreed on mirror-like abolishment of restrictions.

End