Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his department is actively working to restore air links with Russia and Germany. According to him, Ankara is ready to organize charter flights for tourists from these countries, the agency reports. Anadolu.
Cavusoglu said that the decision to resume flights will be made taking into account the epidemiological situation in the states, the number of people infected and deaths from the coronavirus.
“Even if regular flights with these countries are not resumed, we are ready to organize charter flights for tourists,” Cavusoglu said.
He stressed that the Turkish side will be responsible for the safety of tourists "from the moment they leave home until they return home."
Cavusoglu added that there are many people in Russia and other countries who want to relax in Turkey. According to him, the country is ready to provide representatives of the Ministry of Health and Tourism with data on health protection measures in tourist areas, hotels and airports in Turkey.
In turn, the representative of the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT) Irina Tyurina said that foreign airlines do not have the right to carry Russian tourists on charters, so the idea of the Turkish side to organize such flights for Russian tourists before the resumption of regular flights remains unrealistic.
“I don’t really understand why Turkey would organize charters for Russian tourists, when in Russia hundreds of planes are just waiting for the opportunity to take off and take passengers somewhere. We just need to wait until our country considers the epidemiological situation favorable and opens the borders, "she is quoted as saying. «РИА Новости».
On the eve of May 24, Cavusoglu stated that Turkey is negotiating on the topic of tourism with many countries, including Russia. The minister said that he held quadripartite negotiations on tourism with colleagues from Germany, France and Great Britain. Cavusoglu also noted that he had two talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
