Turkish consul general: visits of Turks to Georgia up 100 percent

ARTVIN (A.A) - January 2, 2012 - Turkish Consul General in Batumi, Engin Arikan, has said that the number of Turkish citizens who crossed to Georgia increased 100 percent after identity card procedure began. As of December 10, 2011, Turkish and Georgian citizens began to use their identity cards, instead of passports, to mutually pass the border. Arikan told AA on Monday that the passages of Turks to Georgia increased 100 percent from the beginning date of the procedure till today when compared to the same period of previous year. Arikan added that Turkey applied identity card procedure for the first time with Georgia after Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Under a protocol signed between Turkey and Georgia on May 31, 2011, Turkish and Georgian citizens do not need to use passports while passing the border.