Moscow, Ankara 'to discuss Russian grain supplies to Turkey'

Russian and Turkish economy ministries plan to hold consultations on Russian grain supplies to Turkey soon, Russia's RIA news agency cited Russian Deputy Economy Minister Alexei Gruzdev as saying, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on March 29. 

"We expect consultations to be held soon, where we will talk on how we interact further," Gruzdev said.

"We do not consider the issue closed as we do not have any notification from Turkish authorities on how these decisions will be specifically implemented," he added, as quoted by Anadolu Agency. 

Turkey put purchases of wheat, maize and sunflower from Russia on hold earlier in March. 

Ankara officially denies it has imposed any bans on imports from Moscow. 

The Russian Agriculture Ministry reportedly received official information about the new import duties for agricultural imports. Russia and some other countries were claimed not on the list of states with duty-free imports that can deliver commodities for further processing and export free of payment of the duty amounting to 130 percent.