Turks to be able to enter south Cyprus without a visa?

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
20/12/2009 10:01

"Currently Russians are able to enter south Cyprus without a visa and yet Turks are not. Yesterday, the Turkish Foreign Minister called on the EU to allow visa-free travel for Turks..."

Read more at http://www.northcyprusfreepress.com/2009/12/20/turks-to-be-able-to-enter-south-cyprus-without-a-visa/

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
20/12/2009 13:05

I've just discovered that Russians used to travel visa free, according to the Cyprus Mail at http://www.cyprus-mail.com/commission-european-communities/cyprus-likely-retain-visa-free-regime-russians-until-january, but this has now been stopped.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
20/12/2009 13:19

Actually a Turkish Track Driver brought a case against EU at ECJ complaining that the visa requirement is against the protocol between EU and Turkey which allows for the free movement of services. He won his case and the EU Commission has been asked to make the relevant arrangements to abide by this ruling. I think the judgement was at the beginning of 2009. Now Turkey and the Commission are haggling over its terms. The Commision is prepared to allow all bona fide track drivers to visit EU without a visa but Turkey is adamant that it should not be limited to just drivers or the like. I think the case is bound to go back to ECJ for further deliberations.

ismet

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
20/12/2009 13:41

Very useful comment, Ismet, I'm putting it on NCFP.