Cairo toughens visa regime for Azerbaijani citizens
By Sara Rajabova
Egyptian embassy in Baku has announced that Cairo has toughened the visa regime for Azerbaijani citizens, willing to visit this country.
Previously, Azerbaijani citizens, intending to travel Egyptian cities of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, were able to get visa both in Egyptian embassy in Azerbaijan and in the airports of these cities.
However, from now on, the Azerbaijani citizens will not be able to get visa in the airports, the embassy told Trend news agency
Earlier in May, Egypt has introduced a visa free regime for tourists from eight countries, including Azerbaijan.
Cabinet of Ministers of Egypt Chairman Kamal al-Ganzuri has said the visa free regime is established only for tourists, for whom the travel agencies that are responsible for their stay in Egypt may give a guarantee.
Egypt and Azerbaijan have had relations that extend back many centuries but since the last century they have developed closer contacts. Egyptians and Azerbaijanis have much in common-traditions, culture, customs, attitudes and religion. Since Azerbaijan has gained their independence in 1991, the two countries have started building relations in political, economic, cultural and educational spheres.
Egypt recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December 1991 and the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in March 1992. In 2012, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to over $31 million.