Egypt-Russia Talks on Agricultural Deliveries Tough But Successful - Official

The talks between Egypt and Russia on the deliveries of fruits and vegetables were successful, though not easy, the chairman of Egypt's Agricultural Export Council told Sputnik Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, Russia's agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor decided to resume imports of vegetables and fruits from Egypt, except potatoes, following an inspection visit by Russian experts.

"The negotiations with the Russian side were not easy at all, the Russian side has naturally been sticking to standards and specifications, but the strong historical relations between Egypt and Russia on both the official and public levels, as well as relations between the Russian and Egyptian presidents, have made the success of the negotiations possible," Abdel Hamid Demerdash said.

He added that the Russian delegation would pay a visit to Egypt next month.

"We have agreed on a memorandum of understanding on several issues, including tightening controls on agricultural products exported to Russia and improving quality control and development among other things, we also agreed to re-open the door to the Egyptian exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia, and we agreed on a Russian commission visiting Cairo next month," Demerdash  said.

The Egyptian committee that includes representatives of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture and exporters arrived Moscow on Sunday following Russia's decision on September 22 to stop imports of vegetables and fruits from Egypt due to sanitary concerns.