EU hails adoption of law on foreigners

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

A statement by EU commissioner Füle (R) has praised Turkey’s move.

The EU Commission has welcomed Turkey’s adoption of a law on foreigners and international protection, expressing that its proper implementation will also help Turkey’s efforts toward visa liberalization. 

“This law is a clear sign of Turkey’s efforts to establish a sound legal and institutional framework for migration and asylum ... it provides for indicate Turkey’s commitment to build an effective migration management system in line with EU,” read a joint statement issue by commissioners Stefan Füle and Cecilia Malmström on April 5. 

“It is also worth noting that the adoption of these key reforms takes place amid substantial and commendable efforts deployed by Turkey to provide assistance and protection to a very high number of people fleeing the conflict in Syria,” it read. 

Recalling that the Commission had prepared a road map for visa liberalization for Turkey, the statement stressed: “The Commission is confident that, once implemented, this law will also address several issues identified in the Commission Roadmap for visa liberalization.”

Harmony with EU rules

The Law on Foreigners and International Protection was approved by the Parliament on April 4 aiming at harmonizing Turkey’s regulations on this issue with those of the EU. Stateless persons will have the right to reside in the country after their application to get a document of Stateless Person Identity Card. The law makes deportation of foreigners harder by introducing certain criteria for the extradition. It also paves the way for the foreigner, whose deportation is sought, to take the decision to court.