Turkic countries are creating a Schengen: travel to neighboring countries with an ID card

**A new Schengen-like arrangement is being introduced among Turkic countries: travel to neighboring countries with an ID card will be possible**

Turkey and members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) are working on an initiative called "Turkic ID". According to Eurasiatoday, once this project is implemented, citizens of the organization's member states will be able to travel to each other without a passport, only with a national identity document (ID card).

This initiative is currently being discussed with the participation of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Hungary and Turkmenistan, which have observer status, have not yet made an official statement about joining the project. If adopted, the project is expected to simplify the movement of citizens, reduce administrative barriers, and enhance trade, tourism and humanitarian ties.

According to experts, "Turkic ID" is part of Turkey's long-term strategy aimed at building deeper integration in the Turkic space. In recent years, the TDC has been gradually expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, transport, digitalization, education, culture, logistics and the defense industry. The introduction of a single identification system can further accelerate this process.

The importance of this project coincides with the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor - the Middle Corridor. This route connects China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe through a logistics network bypassing the territory of Russia. Simplification of the movement of citizens can also accelerate the implementation of transport, investment and business projects.

It is worth noting that at the informal consultative meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov put forward the initiative to introduce a single tourist visa for foreign citizens wishing to travel to Central Asian countries. It was reported that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan supported this initiative. The Kyrgyz leader expressed hope that this initiative would be supported by all countries in the region.