Russia and Turkey agree on visa-free travel
12 May, 2010
Moscow and Ankara have signed an agreement to cancel the visa regime between
the two countries as President Dmitry Medvedev is on an official visit to
Turkey to sign strategic deals.
The agreement on mutual cancellation of visas for citizens of the two states
was signed on Wednesday. This step will open "absolutely new opportunities
for promoting tourism," Medvedev announced at a joint media conference
following his meeting with his Turkish counterpart. Russia’s leader dubbed
the move a "truly historic event".
Abdullah Gul, for his part, said he is pleased over such a development in
the bilateral relations.
However, it will be the average Russian traveler who will be happy to hear
the news, as Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for
holidaymakers seeking sun, sea and good service for reasonable prices. Last
year alone, Medvedev reminded, over two million Russians visited Turkey.
Up until now, the process of getting a visa to Turkey was rather simple
compared to that of getting to, for instance, the EU. Upon arrival in the
country, tourists can get permission to cross the border by paying just $20
and getting a stamp in their passport. However, after the agreement is
signed and comes into force, tourists will be able to get into the country
for free and stay there for up to 30 days.
As for when exactly Russian and Turkish voyagers will be able to finally
enjoy visa-free trips, Medvedev said the moment will coincide with the
coming into force of another treaty – the readmission of illegal immigrants.
"The enactment of a visa cancellation agreement with Turkey, this process
will be synchronized with the preparation and enactment of a readmission
agreement. This document is almost ready. I hope that all the necessary
procedures will be finalized and the document [scrapping visas] will come
into force in the near future," Medvedev said as quoted by Interfax news
agency.
Prior to his visit to Ankara, Medvedev was in Syria for talks with President
Bashar al-Asad. In addition to bilateral relations issues, the two discussed
the situation in the Middle East.
During the visit to neighboring Turkey, serious concerns for the
international community have once again come into the spotlight. Israel’s
relations with Arabic countries – in particular between the Palestinian
National Authority and Tel Aviv – and Iranian nuclear policies: these are
the issues that have to be sorted out to bring long-awaited stability to the
region.
According to the Turkish President, Hamas "should be included in the
political process for the settlement of the Middle East problem." Abdullah
Gul is certain that both Russia and Turkey "should draw all the parties
concerned into the negotiating process in the region."
As for Iran with its nuclear ambitions, Medvedev reiterated the position
that Moscow has been maintaining for a while: further efforts should be made
to solve the problem peacefully. At the same time, Tehran should be urged to
act constructively.
"Our position is well known and is similar to that of the Turkish Republic,"
Medvedev said.
The president also repeated the position voiced earlier: the Middle East
should become an area free of nuclear weapons, as any other development may
lead to very grave consequences. Russia, Medvedev said, will continue
contacts with Iran and Israel for the denuclearization of the region.
"We intend to use all our resources to continue contacts with Iran.
Naturally, we will talk on this issue with Israel and other countries
involved in the process," he stressed. "I hope we will be able to find a way
out of this very complicated situation," Medvedev added.
Finally, journalists asked for Medvedev to comment on an issue quite
sensitive to Turkey – its relations with Armenia. The stumbling block is the
Ottoman Empire genocide of the Armenians in 1915 which has been recognized
by over 20 countries including Russia, France, and Canada, but is still
denied by Turkey – the successor of the Ottoman Empire.
The Russian leader calls the topic rather complicated, but still, he is
optimistic.
"I hope both parties will be able to ultimately achieve all the necessary
decisions and restore their relations in full," he said. This would "help
stabilize the situation in our region, actively develop economic relations,
and, as a result, simply increase the living standards in all countries of
the region."