Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues new Travel Advice on Turkey
Avoid non-essential travel to Turkey
Following the recent events (coup attempt on 15/07/2016) the unsettled situation in the country is not expected to be restored soon and further deterioration of the situation may follow. The Turkish government has declared the entire country in a state of emergency for a period of three months (from 21 of July 2016). In addition to that, after the recent terrorist bomb attacks and the violent incidents arising from the public demonstrations in several cities in Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) urges all Cypriot citizens who intend to travel to Turkey in the coming period to avoid doing so. The MFA also advises Cypriot citizens who may reside, visit or intent to visit the country, to avoid traveling to certain areas, if it’s not necessary, which are the epicenter of tensions due to the latest developments, such as Istanbul, Ankara, southeastern Turkey and areas near military installations.
Furthermore, the country, after the continuous bomb attacks in its territory over the last three years (from 05/2013 to 07/2016), faces a high terrorist threat and further terrorist attacks may be repeated.
The developments are worrying and it is not possible to ensure that the current situation will not affect the safety of Cypriot citizens visiting the country.
Cypriot citizens are requested to avoid crowded places and mass gatherings in Turkey. Moreover, they are encouraged to keep abreast of local and international media coverage (especially from the Internet) of events and to follow the safety instructions of the Turkish Authorities.
Please note that due to the absence of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not able to provide direct consular assistance to Cypriot citizens who are visiting this country.
Cypriots are also informed that, as citizens of the EU and in the absence of Cypriot diplomatic missions in the visiting country, they have the right (under Article 23 of the Treaty of Lisbon) to receive consular protection from any diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate) of an EU Member State.
For further information please visit the relevant European Commission website:
In case of emergency, Cypriot citizens may contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the following telephone numbers:
Duty Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +357 99660129
Crisis Management Department MFA: +357 22801000, +357 97775998
The post Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues new Travel Advice on Turkey appeared first on Cyprus Highlights.