The Turkish Presidency announced on Wednesday that the diplomatic visa exemption agreement between Turkey and Afghanistan has been terminated. The decision, signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take effect starting from June 1st.
Decree Outlines Termination of Agreement
Kabul 24: The decree signed by the Turkish president states: “The agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the mutual exemption from visa obligations for holders of diplomatic passports, signed on September 29, 2007, and implemented by the Council of Ministers’ decision on January 8, 2008, will be terminated as of June 1.”
New Visa Requirements for Diplomats
With the revocation of this agreement, Turkish and Islamic Emirate officials will now have to undergo the visa application process for mutual entry into Afghanistan and Turkey. This means that diplomats from both countries will need to obtain a visa before traveling to the other country.
Turkey’s Authority to Approve International Agreements
Turkey made this decision based on Article 3 of Presidential Decree No. 9, which outlines the President’s authority regarding the approval of international agreements.
This decree gives the President the power to terminate agreements that are deemed no longer beneficial to Turkey.
Impact on Diplomatic Relations
The termination of the visa exemption agreement is likely to have an impact on diplomatic relations between Turkey and Afghanistan.
The decision may lead to increased bureaucratic hurdles and delays for diplomats traveling between the two countries. However, the full extent of the impact remains to be seen and will depend on the specific circumstances of each case.
