LOC22:43
19:43 GMT
MOSCOW, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed Tuesday a decree slapping a number of economic sanctions on Turkey in retaliation to the downing of a Russian jet near borders with Syria, a move received with a defiant tone from Ankara.
The decree which comes in implementation of the Executive Order issued by President Vladimir Putin on November 28, stipulates banning importation of agricultural products, white meat and fresh pinks and slat from Turkey starting from January 1, 2016.
It also suspends the agreement on the visa-free regime with Turkey from January 1, 2016.
As per the decree, Russia will reduce the number of permits granted to Turkish motor carriers in 2016 to 2,000.
"To take measures to reduce the number of permits given to the Turkish Republic in 2016 by Russia that allow Turkish carriers to conduct bilateral road transportations to 2,000," reads the decree.
"If necessary - to make decisions on a partial or complete cancellation of Russian permits granted to the Turkish Republic in 2016 for bilateral road transportations."
The government also tasked the Ministry of Economic Development together with engaged federal executive authorities to present the draft decision on the list of organizations under the Turkish jurisdiction, which will face a ban or restrictions on some of their operations within Russia, by December 10 of the current year.
The government has also tasked the Ministry with outlining the list of contracts concluded with Turkish organizations, which will not face special economic measures.
Furthermore, the decree bans charter operations between Russia and Turkey from December 1, 2015 and introduces additional aviation safety measures on regular flights.
In response to the Russian measures, the Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said that his country has "plan B" if Russian authorities applied such sanctions.
If Russia stopped natural gas supplies, Turkey will increase its natural gas imports from Iran, Qatar and Algeria, Simsek said, adding that his country has plan to replace natural gas with new energy sources.
On the ban on Turkish exports to Russia, the minister noted that there are many alternative markets for the Turkish products. (end)
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