AK Party official says Turkic world may move toward ID-only travel

Kursad Zorlu, deputy chairman of Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party, AK Party, hopes that citizens of all member states of the Organization of Turkic States, OTS, will be able to make mutual visits using ID cards in the future, Report's Türkiye bureau informs.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in Ankara to sign protocols on support for projects under the Technical Support Program marking Ankara's declaration as the 2026 Tourism Capital of the Turkic World.

Zorlu said work is nearing completion to declare Novruz an official holiday in Türkiye. According to him, the introduction of a unified Tourism Card of the Turkic World is also being discussed.

"As you know, citizens of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can travel mutually using ID cards. We believe this can be applied across all Turkic states," he said.

According to the official, about 1 million Turkish citizens visit brotherly Turkic states every year, while more than 3.5 million citizens from OTS member countries travel to Türkiye.

"However, these figures are not enough. A new incentive should be created to further expand mutual dialogue, especially cooperation at the level of non-governmental organizations," Zorlu stressed.

He added that the implementation of transport and logistics projects in the Turkic world, including the Zangazur Corridor, is of strategic importance.

The ceremony was held at the Ankara Development Agency. It was attended by members of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, representatives of state institutions, heads of non-governmental organizations, scholars and experts.