Turkey seeking end to need for visas with Russia

By Deniz Acik</p> <p>ESKISEHIR, Turkey (AA) – Turkey is working for a complete mutual lifting of visa requirements with Russia in the near future, said Turkey's foreign minister on Friday. </p> <p>&quot;We took steps to lift visas with Russia. We’re putting forth more efforts to lift them completely in the near future,&quot; Mevlut Cavusoglu told businesspeople in the central province of Eskisehir.</p> <p>Cavusoglu also praised Turkish businesspeople's global achievements, saying that in a mark of in success of the Turkish business world, Turkish products are now in every country worldwide.</p> <p>Cavusoglu said Turkish foreign policy played a role in this success.</p> <p>On Turkey’s efforts to get visa exemption for traveling to the EU, he said that out of 72 criteria, only six remain unfulfilled.</p> <p>&quot;Now we’re negotiating the six criteria,” he explained. “We’re working on comprehensive judicial reform with a justice reform strategy that we'll soon share with the public.&quot; </p> <p>The reforms will lift obstacles and expand freedom for the Turkish public, he said.</p> <p>Turkey is also pushing to update its customs union agreement with the EU, he said, adding that doing so would benefit both sides.</p> <p>Last month Russia’s president signed a decree to lift visa requirements for Turkish service passport holders and truck drivers traveling to Russia.</p> <p>The new rules are valid for Turkish citizens with special passports on short-term business trips, including to diplomatic missions and consular offices, as well as professional drivers transporting international cargo.</p> <p> </p> <p>