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You are here: Home >> Eurasia >> Lifting visas will create prosperity in the region, Ak Party deputy says
16.01.2010 Lifting visas will create prosperity in the region, Ak Party deputy says
A boon to the economy
(zaman) During his official visit to Russia this week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (L) met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The two statesmen agreed to abolish visas between their countries by May. Turkey is becoming a role model with its recent efforts to lift visa requirements with a number of countries in the region, which will provide outstanding benefits to its own people and those of other nations, Cüneyt Yüksel, a Mardin deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has said. As Turkey’s relations with countries in the region have blossomed lately thanks to its “zero problems with neighbors” principle, Turkish citizens have started to enjoy visa-free travel to many countries -- 57 in all after a recent deal was signed between Turkey and Lebanon. Work to introduce a visa-free regime with Azerbaijan is about to be completed while a similar agreement with Armenia is already under consideration. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced this week that visa requirements with Russia would also be abolished in the near future.
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Speaking to Today’s Zaman, Yüksel said he considered visa regimes to be outdated. He recalled that visa requirements for Turkish citizens became widespread in the 1970s and remarked that it has been a gloomy period since then. However, he said, this situation is about to be changed and important steps will be taken in 2010 -- for instance, abolishing visa requirements between Turkey and the European Union, which he remarked would be “a psychological reform.” Yüksel pointed out that the EU had lifted visa requirements for citizens of Croatia and Serbia. “Work is under way to implement a similar abolition between Turkey and the EU. There are some demands the EU has like biometric passports to enhance safety and several technical issues regarding border security, but after work is completed on these subjects, I believe that visa requirements with the EU will be lifted. I can say that important steps will be taken in this regard this year.”
DA Platform head: End of visa requirement with Russia to boost cooperation in the region
The abolishment of visa requirements between Turkey and Russia will be beneficial for the development of the two countries, Harun Tokak, co-chair of the Dialogue Eurasia Platform (DA), has said.
He remarked that the introduction of a visa-free regime is a sign of establishing permanent peace in the region. “This means more trust, more trade, more cultural exchange between the two countries. I consider this movement in such a tough region as a step toward permanent peace,” Tokak stated, expressing his pleasure over the decision.
Describing recent agreements to lift visa requirements between neighboring countries in the region as very productive, Tokak predicted that these moves would boost cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, culture and education. The agreement with Russia is expected to be signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Turkey in either May or June. Hemra Köse İstanbul
According to Yüksel, Turkey has taken on a leading role in the region in eliminating visa requirements, which he said is a rising trend around the world. If Turkey carries out this role successfully, it will be advantageous for a huge number of people, he stressed.
“Here Turkey is creating a new model in the Middle East, Central Asia, the Balkans and the Caucasus. And this will benefit the countries in these regions and the EU. We are probably not fully aware of the importance of abolishing visas, but it is actually more than may be imagined. It also brings a transformation in mentality. You won’t need a visa to travel from Amman or Beirut to Edirne. It is of great importance because we will be rid of artificial borders.”
A boon to the economy
Yüksel stressed that businesses will be rejuvenated, too, thanks to the visa-free system. This will allow countries to enjoy higher rates of economic growth, he added. “Economic relations will be freed from their current restraints.” Citing Syria as an example, Yüksel stated that representatives from the two countries work together in their high-level strategic cooperation council as if they live in the same county. He predicted that in the near future, these opportunities will increase and economies will grow further.
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