MOSCOW, September 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Turkey have signed an agreement to simplify customs procedures, the Federal Customs Service (FTS) said in a statement Thursday.

"The ratified procedure will significantly simplify imports of Turkish goods to Russia," the statement quoted FTS head Andrei Belyaninov as saying.

Under the deal, companies who regularly submit accurate information about goods coming into Russia will in future receive benefits when going through customs procedures, including the exemption of their shipments from customs searches.

The preliminary agreement on the issue was reached during a Russian-Turkish summit in Ankara in early 2007.