Zambia and Turkey have waived visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders with effect from May 2, 2019.
The move comes after completion of internal requirements and procedures by the Zambian and Turkish Governments under the framework of the Agreement on Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports signed between the two countries in July last year.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi said the visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders between Zambia and Turkey, which entered into force on May 2, 2019, marks yet another milestone in the existing warm relations between the two countries.
“The abolition of visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders between our two friendly countries is exciting as it signifies the growing warm and cordial bilateral relations since the reciprocal high-level visits last year undertaken by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia and His Excellency, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey,” Dr Chilengi said.
He further expressed confidence that the move will help increase interaction between the peoples of the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations.
Dr Chilengi also expressed happiness that the MoUs signed between Zambia and Turkey during President Erdogan’s visit to Zambia last year were now bearing fruit.
Article 12, Clause (1) of the Agreement on Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports states: “This Agreement will come into effect on the 30th day following the receipt of the last notice given by the contracting parties to each other stating that they have completed their internal requirements and procedures.”
I thought holders of diplomatic passports are not supposed obtain visas in the first place. So the waiving of visas is like…….
Atase nanga the rest of us, don’t we deserve visa free travel to Turkey ninshi!??? After all those same diplomatic passport holders will use tax payers money to travel there!
So what have you solved? It is formality in most cases to obtain a visa for diplomatic passports. Do it for the ordinary citizens, you dummies! Are you planning an escape route or what? Utulo.
This is not the way to go!! Which Nation would deny a visa/entry to a Zambian diplomatic passport holder? The government is there to provide for its people and this a failure on the government.
I strongly urge the government to reconsider this move as it is not adding any value to Zambians other than to show selfish/egocentric motives for the government.
These are animal farm rules: All animals are equal but ……………….