Changes in the matter of visas on the Romania-Turkey relationship

The Government of Romania approved on Tuesday, through a decision, “the denunciation of some bilateral conventional provisions regarding the reciprocal travel of the citizens of Romania and the Republic of Turkey” and the start of new rounds of bilateral negotiations with the Republic of Turkey in relation to the visa regime, according to a statement from the Government Romania.

Articles that provided for visa exemptions are targeted

The Romanian executive decided to start these negotiations in order to conclude a new agreement based on the Schengen acquis in terms of visas, the Schengen acquis, which Romania applies in full starting from March 31, 2024. For this, Romania partially denounced The existing agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey regarding the reciprocal travel of their citizens, signed in Bucharest on February 17, 2004, as amended by two Protocols signed between the two governments, in Bucharest, on October 25, 2007, respectively, in Ankara , on September 19, 2013.

“The articles that provided for visa exemptions for the citizens of the two states were denounced. These referred, for example, to holders of diplomatic, service or special passports, to employees of companies from the two states, who work in air, sea, rail or road transport, of goods or people. Also, businessmen or representatives of commercial companies”, the Government’s press release states.

The execution of the rest of the provisions will not be affected

Also in this context, the Government communiqué also announces the fact that the Convention between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey regarding the special travel conditions applicable to the citizens of the two states, drivers of means of transport, as well as to Turkish citizens, holders of valid Schengen visas, has also been denounced. concluded by verbal notes apostilled in Bucharest on June 15, 2004 and June 18, 2004.

The partial denunciation of the Agreement will not affect the execution of the rest of the provisions, says the quoted source.

The EU currently has a visa-free regime for 61 non-EU countries, two special administrative regions of China (Hong Kong and Macau) and one territorial authority that is not recognized as a state by at least one state EU member (Taiwan). Of the 61 non-EU countries benefiting from a visa-free regime, 27 have concluded visa-free agreements with the EU.