Minister Ömer Bolat announces: European Union promises visa facilitation for Turkey

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat provided information regarding relations with the European Union, as well as inspections concerning unfair price increases and hoarding in the automotive, real estate, and other sectors.

"VISA FACILITATION WILL BEGIN"

Bolat stated that while relations with the European Union regarding political dialogue were halted in 2019, work in the areas of economy and trade has continued, noting that he has had contacts with European Union officials since taking office.

Minister Bolat pointed out that the European Union is displaying an attitude toward Turkey in this new period that is constructive, trade-oriented, and shows a will to mutually compensate for difficulties in the Customs Union, adding, "When we voiced our complaints at the highest level regarding overcoming the difficulties in the visa issue during our meetings, we received the response, 'We are in the midst of a new preparation and will initiate a visa facilitation process.'"

"400 MILLION TL IN FINES IMPOSED"

Stating that inspections were carried out on 9 thousand 761 companies and 44 thousand 802 products in 2023, Minister Bolat said that administrative fines exceeding 400 million liras were imposed as a result of these inspections.

HOUSING SALES LISTINGS UNDER SCRUTINY

Minister Bolat said, "The sale of second-hand vehicles at prices above their new list price and marketing them through advertisements has been banned until the end of the year. Administrative fines of 67.5 million liras were imposed during these inspections. Administrative fines of 54.5 million liras were imposed on 545 real estate businesses identified."

Speaking at the Plan and Budget Committee during the budget negotiations for his ministry, Minister Bolat also stated that a large amount of contraband goods and narcotics were prevented from entering the country through inspections conducted at customs.

"8.8 TONS OF NARCOTICS SEIZED"

Bolat shared the information, "As of October 27, we have seized contraband goods worth exactly 19 billion 100 million liras. 3.6 billion liras of this consists of approximately 8.8 tons of narcotics. This was seized by our customs enforcement teams."

News Source: AA