Moldovan citizens might travel to Turkey only based on identity cards

Chisinau, 3 October /MOLDPRES/ - The citizens of Moldova and Turkey might travel reciprocally only based on the identity cards. The cabinet of ministers today approved the signing of a protocol between the governments of Moldova and Turkey on the amendment of the agreement on the mutual abolition of visas, signed in Ankara on 1 November 2012.  

The mutual travels based on internal acts do not give right to work. The persons willing to enter the territory of a contracting side on the purpose of labour, to exercise a profession or study, as well as those willing to stay for a longer period than 90 days, will be obliged to get a long-stay entry visa, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry has said.

According to the ministry, “the facilitation of the conditions of travel for the citizens of the two countries based on the internal acts represents a visible proof of the concern of both countries’ authorities about the fulfillment of the right to free movement of its citizens.” The amendments to the agreement on the mutual abolition of visas, which will allow the citizens of both countries to travel only based on the identity cards, will enter into force after the signing of the protocol.

Data by the National Statistics Bureau shows that Turkey is among the top ten countries whose citizens crossed Moldova’s border in the first half of 2018. More than 11,000 Turkish citizens entered Moldova in January-June this year. Turkey is on the seventh position in terms of foreign tourists accommodated, on the same period, in structures of collective reception.  

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)