Turkey Introduces Visas for Russian Reporters on Short-Term Assignments

Starting February 15, Turkey is introducing short-term visas for Russian reporters, according to the Turkish Embassy in Russia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Ankara is introducing from February 15 entry visas for Russian journalists arriving in Turkey for work on short-term assignments, the Turkish Embassy in Russia said Wednesday.

"Journalists arriving in Turkey on short-term assignments will have to obtain entry visas," an embassy official told RIA Novosti.

"This measure is of a reciprocal nature as the Turkish reporters will also have to obtain visas for work in Russia starting on February 15," the official said, adding that the visa rules for journalists working on permanent assignments had not changed. 

Russia suspended its visa-free regime with Turkey effective January 1, as part of measures imposed on Ankara in response to the downing of Russia’s Su-24 frontline bomber on an anti-terror mission over Syria by a Turkish fighter on November 24.

Other economic measures include food import bans on select categories of products, charter flight restrictions, bans and restrictions on the activities Turkish companies in Russia, and curbs on employment of Turkish citizens in Russian firms.