Belarus, Turkey sign agreements on visa regime

Belarus and Turkey signed agreements on visa abolition and readmission on 29 March. 

The intergovernmental agreement on visa-free trips was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu. Signatures on the intergovernmental agreement on readmission were put by Interior Minister of Belarus Igor Shunevich and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

Vladimir Makei noted that the development and signing of the two agreements were initiated after the visit of the President of Belarus to Turkey in October 2010. According to Vladimir Makei, 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 parties expressed hope that the implementation of the agreements will boost tourist flows in both the directions. Apart from that, according to the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the move will facilitate business contacts.