UPDATE: Russia drafts memo to cut roaming prices with Turkey

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MOSCOW/ISTANBUL, Oct 12 (PRIME) -- Russia’s communications ministry has prepared a memorandum of understanding to reduce roaming tariffs for telecommunications between the country and Turkey, the authority said on Wednesday in a statement, quoting Minister Nikolai Nikiforov.

“We’re glad that negotiations on the matter have been resumed. The Communications and Mass Media Ministry systematically works on cutting connection prices, including international roaming,” Nikiforov said.

The ministry raised the issue of international roaming prices the last time two and a half years ago during a visit of its representatives to Turkey.

Alexander Novak, Russian energy minister and co-chairman of the bilateral intergovernmental commission, said earlier on Wednesday that Moscow and Istanbul are discussing options to reduce roaming tariffs between the countries.

“The Russian party sees it reasonable to study the possibility of speeding up preparations of a memorandum of understanding regarding a decrease in tariffs for international telecommunications in roaming between our countries,” Novak said.

The issue is urgent and should be tackled keeping in mind a heavy flow of Russian tourists to Turkey, the official said.

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