The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an updated travel advice for Turkey.
As it is noted, after 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. It is added that the Turkish government has declared the entire country in a state of emergency for a period of 3 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 Foreign Ministry said.
It also advised Cypriot citizens who may reside, visit or intent to visit the country, to avoid traveling to certain areas if it’s not necessary where is the epicentre of tensions due to the latest developments, such as Istanbul, Ankara, southeastern Turkey and areas near military installations.
The travel advice also said that after the continuous bomb attacks in its territory on the last three years (from 05/2013 to 07/2016), Turkey 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, the Ministry noted.
According to the travel advice, Cypriot citizens are requested to avoid crowded places and mass gatherings. Moreover, 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.
Furthermore, it is noted 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:
http://ec.europa.eu/consularprotection/search.action?ms2=ALL&tcNew=TR&tc2=TR&countryAndCity=ALL&rightMenu.submit.label=Find+info
In case of emergency, Cypriot citizens can contact the following:
Duty Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +35 7 99660129
Crisis Management Department MFA: +35722801000, +35797775998
CNA/MK/GV/2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY