DUSHANBE, January 11, 2016, Asia-Plus – Turkey is reportedly expected to introduce a visa regime for Tajikistan in summer.

Some Turkish media outlets, including Milliyet and Hurriyet , reported last week that Turkey will introduce a visa regime for citizens of 89 countries, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Iran.

Turkish media reported that introduction of visa regime is one of EU''s requirements and Turkey will introduce the visa regime for 89 countries in June this year.

Turkey has become candidate for membership in the European Union and the convergence process is going on.  Turkey is expected to be granted visa-free access to the European Union (EU) in autumn this year.

Tajikistan and Turkey cancelled their visa regime in 2007.

Meanwhile, Iran’s news channel Al-Alam reported on January 10 that Turkish Foreign Ministry has denied reports by certain Turkish media that Ankara plans to introduce visa requirements for citizens of 89 countries as baseless.  The Turkish FM said the report concerning new terms and conditions for granting visa is fully baseless and false, according to Al-Alam .