Russia announces economic sanctions against Turkey
November 29, 2015, 3:30 am

Turkey is the most popular foreign destination for Russians, with 3.3 million making the trip in the first nine months of this year [Xinhua]

The presidential decree, which was posted at the website of the Kremlin, said a ban of charter flights from Russia to Turkey will be introduced. Selling tours to Turkey would be a “blatant violation” of Russian laws, according to the Federal Tourism Agency.

Turkey is the most popular foreign destination for Russians, with 3.3 million making the trip in the first nine months of this year. Tourism accounted for $21 billion of income for Turkey in the nine months to September.

The Russian decree became effective immediately on the date of publication.

In accordance with the presidential decree, Turkish companies of transportation shall be restricted in their operations in Russian territories, with Turkish ships and boats being banned from staying at or navigating across Russian ports, while import of certain goods from Turkey will be halted.

The visa-free travel regime between Russia and Turkey is also formally suspended and Turkish citizens, except Turkish diplomats and their dependents and those with temporary permits of residence, are not allowed to enter Russia starting Jan. 1, 2016, according to the decree.

Russian employers are ordered not to extend contracts with Turkish nationals and will face restrictions in this regard.

Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to inform the Turkish side of the contents of the decree and ordered the government to prepared a detailed list of goods, firms and jobs that would be impacted.

Russia’s move came after Turkey shot down a Russian jet near the Syrian border on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the plane had been attacked when it was 1 km (0.62 mile) inside Syria and warned of “serious consequences” for what he termed a stab in the back administered by “the accomplices of terrorists”.

The surviving crew member of the Russian fighter jet shot down by Turkey on Tuesday said earlier the plane received no warnings from the Turkish Air Force and did not fly over Turkish air space, Russian news agencies reported.

Putin on Thursday demanded an apology from the Turkish leadership and a compensation for the damage, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered the relevant government departments to prepare the draft of possible economic sanctions against Turkey.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning, urging Turkish nationals to postpone their visits to Russia unless absolutely necessary, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced regret over the incident, saying his country was “truly saddened” by the incident and wished it hadn’t occurred.

Source: Agencies