Tourism minister invites Russian citizens to visit Turkey

11/30/2015 3:56:54 AM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) A Turkish minister has invited Russian citizens to visit his countrydespitethe worseningrelations between the two countries.

Relations between Ankara and Moscow have worsened after Turkey downed a Russian jet for violating its airspace nearthe border with Syria on Nov.24.

“The tourism sector should be considered separately from politics” Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Unal told reporters Sunday in Kahramanmaras in southern Turkey.

“As Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister I want to say to the Russian Federation citizens that Turkey is your home” Unal said.“You can spend your holidays safely in Turkey as it has happened before.”

Media reports say that about 3 million Russian tourists had visited Turkey last year.

On Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order imposing economic sanctions against Turkey. The sanctions include the unilateralsuspension of the visa-free regime for Turkish nationals traveling toRussia as of Jan. 1 2016.Russian travel agencies are also tosuspend thesale toRussian citizens ofproducts that consider visiting Turkey.

On Nov. 24 two Turkish F-16 fighter jets on an aerial patrol intercepted an unidentified warplane within rules of engagement when it intruded into Turkish airspace on the Turkey-Syria border.

The intruding aircraft was warned about the violation 10 times within five minutes before it was shot down.

TheRussian Defense Ministry later announced that its Russian SU-24 bomber jet had been shot down. It crashed in the Syrian region of Bayirbucak close to Yayladagi district of Turkey's southern Hatay province.

NATO confirmed the accuracy of information shared by Turkey about the violation.

It was not the first timeRussian fighter jets had violated Turkish airspace. In early OctoberRussian warplanes breached Turkish airspace.Russian officials apologized and pledged that no such incident would be repeated. Turkey had also renewed its warning on engagement rules including a military response against violations of Turkish airspace.

Russian Ukrainian Turkish Cultural Friendship Festival

Despite the worsening relations between respective countries the sixth edition of the Russian Ukrainian Turkish Cultural Friendship Festival was held Sunday in Antalya Turkey's southerncoastal city.

Turkish and Russian children held gymnasticsanddance performances. Russian citizens living in Antalya were also able to takeTurkish-speaking lessonsina shopping mall.

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