Eying visa-free travel, Turkey, Russia sign readmission deal

Turkish and Russian officials signed yesterday a readmission agreement, bringing the two countries one step closer to introducing a visa-free travel regime for their nationals. The agreement on readmission of illegal immigrants was signed in Moscow, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday. The agreement will enter into force simultaneously with a visa exemption pact that was signed last May. Thanks to this agreement, the fight against illegal migration has been added to the broad areas of cooperation between Turkey and Russia, the statement said. Officials expect illegal migration could become a bigger problem when Turks and Russians are allowed to travel without having to obtain a visa. Turkey, which has been pressing for a visa exemption for its nationals traveling to European Union countries, is still negotiating a deal with Brussels for the readmission of illegal migrants who transit Turkish territory to reach EU destinations. Economic and political ties between Turkey and Russia have grown dramatically in recent years. Tourism is also booming, as about 3 million Russians flock to Turkey every year, particularly to tourism destinations along the Mediterranean coast. The Foreign Ministry said the visa-free regime would help the two countries further improve their cultural and social ties as well as develop economic and commercial relations by boosting contacts between Turkish and Russian businessmen. The decision to sign a readmission agreement, seen as the final obstacle to a visa-free regime, was made during a visit to Russia by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last year.