CORRECTS - Turkey: Visa exemption to 5 Schengen states, UK

CORRECTS SCHENGEN COUNTRIES

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey announced on Thursday that it would provide the citizens of five Schengen countries and the U.K. with a 90-day visa exemption for touristic travel.

This step aims to further develop tourism potential, as well as commercial, economic and cultural relations with Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and the U.K, said a written statement by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy.

The visa exemption will be provided to the five Schengen countries and the U.K. for touristic travel beginning March 2 for 90-day visits once every 180 days, it added.