"In fact, the case in question is technical inter-ministerial consultations at an expert level to discuss the multiple phytosanitary violations occurring in agricultural product deliveries from Turkey to Russia, which are not subject to the restrictive measures applied by Russia," Zakharova said.
She voiced "surprise" that the meeting has been portrayed as a conciliatory measure in Turkish media outlets.
"It is presented almost as a desire by our country to resume imports of Turkish fruits and vegetables at previous levels in the absence of any concrete steps from Ankara to facilitate the normalization of bilateral ties," Zakharova stressed.
Russia's retaliatory measures against Ankara include, in particular, restrictions on the activities of Turkish organizations in Russia, prohibiting Russian employers from hiring Turkish citizens and a ban on certain food imports, including oranges, tangerines, tomatoes, apples, peaches, strawberries and most poultry products.
