Ankara briefs EU about regulatory steps for visa waiver
Sevil Erkuş - ANKARA
The European Commission expressed satisfaction at the reviving of visa liberalization dialogue with Turkey, a Foreign Ministry official said on June 1, as a delegation from the Commission held talks in Ankara for resuming visa liberalization dialogue.
“They view our working plan as a positive step towards meeting the remaining criteria,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
The delegation requested further information regarding the technical details of the working plan, said the official.
“At the meeting, relevant institutions presented detailed information about our proposals to the delegation of the European Commission and opinions were also shared on steps that could be taken in certain technical regulations,” said the official.
A delegation from the EU held meetings in Ankara on May 31 with officials from the foreign, interior and justice ministries at the Foreign Ministry, discussing visa-free travel in the Schengen area for Turkish citizens.
Ankara delivered its position paper to European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans on Feb. 7.
According to the European Commission, to get the visa waiver Ankara needs to fulfill seven outstanding criteria out of a total of 72, including “revising legislation and practices on terrorism in line with European standards.”
The most challenging benchmark for Turkey is the change in the law on counter-terrorism.
EU delegation holds talks in Turkey on visa waiver, refugees
