MOSCOW, September 20 (Itar-Tass) — Russian senators invite their Turkish colleagues to discuss problems of safety of Russian tourists holidaying at Turkish resorts.

This offer was made in an address of the Russian Federation Council’s commission for youth and tourism to the chairman of the Turkish parliament’s commission for reconstruction, transport and tourism, Idris Gulluce.

The head of the upper house’s commission, Vladimir Zhidkikh, states that Turkey is “one of the most well-known and mass tourist destinations for Russians”.

“In 2009, about two million tourists from Russia spent their holidays in that country, while in 2010 – 2.4 million people” visited Turkey, said the initiator of the message.

At the same time the senator regretted that “over the past few years, particularly in 2011, Turkey has also become the leader as to the amount of incidents with Russian tourists”.

“Cases of mass poisonings, road accidents, explosions have become more frequent at Turkish resorts, and several incidents involving Russians take place there practically every month,” Zhidkikh said.

According to him, “this year alone six Russian people have died in Turkey, and more than 100 people have got poisoned. Dozens of tourists were injured in road accidents and explosions”.

The commission for youth and tourism “expresses concern in connection with the existing situation,” he said. “We believe it is important to draw attention of Turkish parliamentarians to the tragic events that took place and to an unsatisfactory situation with safety,” the address said.

Besides, taking into consideration a growing flow of Russian tourists visiting Turkey, senators ask their colleagues “to take legislative measures to prevent incidents and to increase the level of safety at Turkish resorts”.