MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The statement comes amid the global migration crisis. Turkey borders Iraq and Syria, which are both suffering from jihadists' activities, particularly the Daesh militant group, outlawed in many countries, including Russia.
"The visa regime for the Iraqi citizens wishing to visit Turkey will operate as before, but the procedure of issuing visas is being changed within the framework of fighting illegal migration. The entry of the Iraqi citizens on the Turkish territory will only be possible with visas obtained in diplomatic missions of our country abroad," the foreign ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said in a statement obtained by RIA Novosti on Saturday.
Previously, citizens of Iraq were able to obtain Turkish visas at checkpoints when crossing the border.
