Minister Ömer Bolat puts an end to the green passport debate: We are not expanding the practice

Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) Chairman of the Board Yusuf Hacısüleyman and his accompanying delegation visited Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat.

Conveying the demands of business people regarding green passports to Minister Bolat in relation to a regulation that would include many professional groups, Hacısüleyman said, "The increasing visa difficulties in recent times are putting the business world in a difficult situation; we want priority to be given to business people in this regard."

Minister Bolat used the phrase "We are not expanding the practice" in response to recent claims that the scope of the green passport would be expanded.

Bolat's statement is as follows:

“There have been professional groups claimed to be included in the Green Passport practice due to social media disinformation. However, this is completely false information; we are not expanding the practice, we cannot undermine the trust in the Green Passport.”

WHAT IS A GREEN PASSPORT? WHO CAN APPLY?

The green passport is a special type of passport issued to certain public officials and former bureaucrats. With new legislative proposals in Parliament, it is aimed for professional groups such as journalists, engineers, and pharmacists with a certain level of seniority to also have this right.

THERE ARE CONCERNS

Concerns regarding the expansion of the green passport's scope are focused particularly on the possibility of European countries imposing visas on this passport as well. Ministries are approaching new demands with caution due to this risk.

In light of these developments, the situation of professional groups waiting to obtain a green passport is being closely monitored. Future discussions on the subject in Parliament will determine whether it will facilitate international travel for these groups.