Turkey, UK take steps to minimize visa paperwork

Turkey and the UK have agreed on a new program to minimize paperwork at border gates due to visa requirements employed by the UK for Turkish businesspeople, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan announced on Monday. The announcement comes amidst increased attempts by Ankara to address a lingering problem of prolonged paperwork at border gates due to visa requirements employed by not only the UK but by all European Union member states for Turks doing business abroad. The minister was in London to meet with British officials as part of the fourth Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting between Turkey and the UK. Caglayan addressed reporters in a press conference on Monday following his meeting with UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Green. "We have agreed on relatively easier visa procedures for Turkish businesspeople entering the UK. A total of 500 Turkish businesspeople will initially benefit from the joint program," the Turkish minister remarked. The deal comes as part of a UK government program titled "Business bridge," Caglayan said, adding that they will continue talks for even better terms regarding Turkish businesspeople's visa the UK. "Visa procedures will be much quicker, as [Turkish] businesspeople will only be required to provide very basic information to UK authorities," he explained. "What Turkey is asking for in the long term is that the UK provide the same convenience for Turkish firms at the borders as we do for any EU-member state. Turkey offers up to a three-month stay for EU businesspeople. Turkish businesspeople as well as academics, journalists and artists should be able to benefit from this same opportunity," Caglayan said. Mutual trade volume between Turkey and the UK increased to $14.3 billion in 2012 from $13.9 billion in 2011. This number was only $4 billion in 2001.