The Local Schengen Cooperation Visa Information for Business World meeting, organized with the cooperation of TOBB and the Delegation of the European Union in Turkey was held in Van and hosted by Van Chamber for Trade and Industry. The Chairman of Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry Necdet Takva and various businessmen participated to the meeting.

Chairman Takva pointed out that Van is currently Turkey’s 19^th largest city.  During his speech, he stressed that Van presented so many important possibilities and opportunities. He therefore explained the need to develop mechanisms that will contribute in strengthening its communication with the world and especially with the EU since it is an important trade partner.

Regarding the visa issue, one of the main concerns raised by the members of the chamber was of local character. As it is known, Turkey has a 580 km long border with the Islamic Republic of Iran and 300 km of this border is with the province of Van. Therefore, there is an important circulation between Van and Iran.  Businessmen are especially cooperating in terms of trade. Furthermore, Chairman Takva pointed out that the presence of Iranian stamps on the passports of Van businessmen had a restricting effect when they were traveling to EU countries.

In the meeting, presentations were made by the representatives from Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Germany and the Delegation of the European Union in Turkey on issues related to visa. IKV Deputy Secretary General and Research Director Melih Özsöz made a presentation regarding the practices of Schengen visa towards Turkish citizens.