26.04.2013
Visa abolition to boost Turkish investment in Belarus
MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) – Visa abolition will promote an increase in Turkish investment in Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Belarus Cevat Nezihi Ozkaya said in an interview to Belarus 1 TV Channel.
“Visas were a serious inconvenience for the development of business contacts. They complicate partnership, for instance with the EU countries. Now your country has an additional advantage. I think the Turkish investment in Belarus will increase,” the diplomat said.
Belarus and Turkey signed an agreement on visa abolition in Minsk on 29 March. The development and signing of the agreement was initiated after the visit of the President of Belarus to Turkey in October 2010. The agreement on visa-free trips will allow the citizens of the two countries visiting Belarus and Turkey without the need to undergo any visa procurement procedures for up to 90 days a year or up to 30 days in one trip. “The agreement is pending ratification by both the parliaments of the countries. We will do our best to provide Belarusians with free-visa trips to Turkey this summer already,” the diplomat noted.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus’ main exports to Turkey include metals, potash fertilizers, and linen fabric. Belarus imports Turkey vehicles, knitwear and fruits. Up to 200,000 Belarusian tourists visit Turkey every year.
“Visas were a serious inconvenience for the development of business contacts. They complicate partnership, for instance with the EU countries. Now your country has an additional advantage. I think the Turkish investment in Belarus will increase,” the diplomat said.
Belarus and Turkey signed an agreement on visa abolition in Minsk on 29 March. The development and signing of the agreement was initiated after the visit of the President of Belarus to Turkey in October 2010. The agreement on visa-free trips will allow the citizens of the two countries visiting Belarus and Turkey without the need to undergo any visa procurement procedures for up to 90 days a year or up to 30 days in one trip. “The agreement is pending ratification by both the parliaments of the countries. We will do our best to provide Belarusians with free-visa trips to Turkey this summer already,” the diplomat noted.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus’ main exports to Turkey include metals, potash fertilizers, and linen fabric. Belarus imports Turkey vehicles, knitwear and fruits. Up to 200,000 Belarusian tourists visit Turkey every year.