Russia closes borders to Turkish trucks

Russia closes borders to Turkish trucks
The boycott of Turkish products has huge consequences for the Turkish economy. The export of fruit and vegetables decreased strongly. In January 2015 the country exported 215.2 million dollars worth of fruit and vegetables. This year in the same month it was 132.7 million dollars.

But another drama for the Turkish economy has been added unnoticed. Russia has not extended an agreement on transport and passage of trucks at the border. The treaty ended on February 1st. This means that Turkish trucks cannot cross the border and are denied access not just to Russia, but also to the Central Asian Hinterland. Russia is also making it difficult for Turkish transporters for temporary licenses. The alternative route by ferry through Azerbaijan has insufficient capacity.



Turkish tomatoes destroyed
The Russian inspection discovered 179.8 kilos of tomatoes from Turkey in the region Orenburg last week. The tomatoes were identified as Turkish through the boxes' labeling. As the import of tomatoes from Turkey is prohibited, the inspection decided to take the party from the market and destroy it.

Possible extension to Turkey boycott
The Russian government is considering adding cabbage and pomegranate to the list of boycotted Turkish products. According to the Russian phytosanitary inspection there are problems with the quality of these products. The inspection is said to have received a lot of complaints about the quality. Russia still wants to resolve the problem in discussion with the Turkish sector.

Over the last few weeks 13 parties were intercepted. In 12 cases the Western flower thrip was found in cabbage and pepper. In a single case it was the Mediterranean fruit fly in a party of pomegranates. Russia wants Turkey to deal with this.

Spanish kakis and iceberg lettuce destroyed
During an inspection in the St. Petersburg region, the Russian inspection found 10 boxes of kakis with a total weight of 50 kilos and 6 boxes of iceberg lettuce with a total weight of 30 kilos in a warehouse. Although the products were imported from Belarus according to the labels, the inspection discovered that the country of origin was Spain. The products were destroyed.

Russians support Turkey boycott
Research shows that 63 percent of Russians are against lifting the sanctions against Turkey, the news site RT.com. Another large majority, 78%, believes Russian government shouldn't compromise with Ankara until the Turkish have apologised for taking down the Russian fighter plane. Most Russians (54%) think that Turkey is suffering more from the sanctions than Russia.

Ukraine boycotts Spanish products
According to the Russian site FruitNews, Ukraine has announced a boycott of Spanish products. The boycott follows violations in the phytosanitary area. The Ukraine is said to close its borders to cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, lettuce and chicory.

Discussion on Donbass elections
The four ministers who discussed the situation in the Ukraine, in Normandy 2 years ago, Russia, the Ukraine, France and Germany, will meet again this week. According to Russian media possible elections in Donbass, the eastern Ukrainian region where separatists rule, will be discussed. The media is basing itself on statements from the German minister of Foreign Affairs. Last year the four countries agreed there should be more space for a sustainable peace in the Ukraine, for instance by giving more autonomy to the regions in the east.

Russia challenges Ukraine as a defaulter
The Russian government has filed a complaint again the Ukraine at the court in London. The Kremlin is challenging Kiev in front of the judge for not meeting payment commitments. The debt was contracted in 2013 by the Ukraine, on the Irish Stock Exchange. Last year the country did not meet the payment commitments and as no agreement was reached on restructuring the debt, Russia is going to the judge. Russia is demanding the loaned 3 billion dollars and 75 million dollars interest from the Ukraine.