Turkey and Colombia agree to waive visas

According to a statement released by Turkey's Foreign Ministry, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited Turkey last Nov. 17-19 at the invitation of President Abdullah Gül at which time they reached an agreement to mutually end visa requirements.

The Foreign Ministry also stated that in accordance with the decision made during Santos's visit the negotiations concerning the visa exemption agreement had been completed and an agreement between the two governments had been signed. According to the agreement, citizens of both countries holding official and ordinary passports, including the crews of ships and aircraft engaged in international travel, will be exempt from visa requirements.

The agreement signed by Foreign Ministry Consular Affairs General Director Şakir Fakılı and Colombian Ambassador Fernando Serna Panesso will go into effect 30 days after the internal approval processes of the parties to the agreement have been completed.