Russians to get extended visa-free stay in Turkey

Turkey will extend visa-free stay for Russian citizens to 90 days from 60, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday.

The move came right after Russian deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov said that Moscow is ready to facilitate visa procedures in certain categories for Turkish citizens.

Following the jet crisis of late November 2015, Russia suspended visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to Russia.

Read: Turkey in ‘final stage’ of purchasing missile system from Russia

Previously, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Ankara had begun negotiations with Russia regarding passport-free travel, saying that Turkey will be installing devices in airports with capabilities to read the identification cards of Russian citizens.

Since last year’s failed coup attempt, Moscow and Ankara were able to put aside strong disagreements, especially over Syria. Last week Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said that Turkey was in the “final stage” with Russia over the purchase of a missile defence system that could not be integrated into the NATO system.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reported to want to discuss the missile defence contract with Russia during his visit to Russia on 3 May when he will meet President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.