ISTANBUL - Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) and the French Consulate General in Istanbul signed Wednesday a protocol to simplify Schengen visa application procedures for members of the chamber.
"Turkey is the number five trade partner of Europe, and Europe constitutes half of Turkey`s trade," ITO Chairman Murat Yalcintas said during the ceremony.
Yalcintas said their final target is to lift visa for Turkish people in the end within the framework of Turkey`s EU membership.
"This is not a short process, therefore we have decided to find some practical solutions," he told.
According to Yalcintas, a businessman who is a member of ITO for at least one year will get a letter from the chamber and apply the French Consulate General with this letter.
"The Consulate will grant long-term and multi-entrance visa to these businessmen within three days after they apply for a visa," Yalcintas said.
On the other hand, French Consul General in Istanbul Christine Moro said Turkish-French trade was over 9 billion euros in 2007 and French investors are employing 65,000 Turkish citizens.
(BRC-MS)