'The visa problem is causing our country to lose out'

Stating that trade is a two-way process, Asil Transport Co. Chairman of the Board Armağan Şahin said, “Every visa that cannot be obtained harms EU countries as much as it harms Turkey. The outdated visa practice must be abolished, and a fast-track visa system must be implemented in its place within the new global economic order.” 

Noting that drivers are forced to wait for long periods just to get an appointment for a visa, Asil Transport Co. Chairman of the Board Armağan Şahin said, “Short-term visas are issued to our drivers in the sector. I can understand why long-term visas are not granted. A system that allows for obtaining fast-track visas for short-term applications must be established. If we can obtain visas quickly, we will prevent many of the problems our sector faces. Because right now, we have to deal with appointments that take at least 1-2 months just to get a visa,” he said.

EVERY VISA THAT CANNOT BE OBTAINED CAUSES ECONOMIC LOSS TO OUR COUNTRY

Explaining that truck drivers must first obtain a visa to enter the European Union (EU) region, Şahin stated that there are problems with Schengen appointments, that new drivers' visa applications are rejected, and that experienced drivers are only given short-term visas. Emphasizing that due to this chaotic situation regarding visas, products demanded from Turkey by the EU cannot be delivered by Turkish logistics companies and professional Turkish truck drivers, Şahin highlighted that in this situation, not only Turkey but also global investors, manufacturers, commercial enterprises, and consumers—in short, international trade—are being harmed.

Pointing out that every visa that cannot be obtained causes economic loss to our country, Şahin said, “Our drivers not being able to get visas means our vehicles cannot operate. Our trucks, which cannot be used due to the driver shortage and remain idle, cause a negative impact on our country's economy. Turkish trucks need to travel freely on the roads and cover thousands of kilometers without getting stuck behind visa barriers. The system that complicates world trade with visas, quotas, and transit restrictions must now change. We foresee that a faster visa system needs to be implemented within the new global economic order. We believe that the EU should provide facilitation regarding visas.” Stating that tourism visas and commercial visas should be subject to separate procedures, Şahin noted that they are demanding a new visa system that will not burden anyone, especially during holiday periods.

EU COUNTRIES SUFFER THE MOST FROM THE VISA PRACTICE!

Stating that there are very important EU-capitalized companies in Turkey, Şahin noted that one of the parties suffering the most from this outdated visa practice is the EU countries. Noting that there is very serious trade between Turkey and the EU, Şahin said that Turkey, which is not accepted into the EU, is actually indirectly an EU country because many EU investors in Turkey lead the way in trade with their factories and products. Stating that the EU pays the price for the visa problem, which hinders the growth of the high-potential EU-Turkey trade, just as much as Turkey does, Şahin finally emphasized with care that trade is a multi-faceted process and that this process must not be blocked.