VISA LIBERALISATION IS HARD

Asst. Prof. Dr. Alexander Bürgin, Lecturer at Izmir University of Economics- Department of Political Science and International Relations, stated that the expectation of Visa Liberalization Talks and Readmission Agreement Turkey has signed bringing travel freedom for the country was a difficult process.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Bürgin reminded that after the Agreement, which was signed on December 16, negotiations regarding Turkish citizens entering EU and Schengen countries without a visa in 3-4 years would begin. He said, “Turkey feels very optimistic about visa liberalization issue because of the readmission agreement it signed which requires readmission of illegal immigrants. In return, European Commission will begin the negotiations for free travel of Turkish citizens. However, Turkey needs to complete many necessary procedures during this process. Therefore, visa liberalization should not be expected immediately. ”

‘Harmonizing visa procedures with EU is a problem’

Asst. Prof. Dr. Bürgin, who conducted a Scientific Research Project (SRP) on Turkey’s Visa Liberalization within Izmir University of Economics Research Projects Directorate, met with officials from Turkish and European Commission in Ankara, Brussels and Berlin. Bürgin stated that the issue was harmonizing its visa procedures with the EU. “Turkey needs to withdraw the geographical limitations it added in the Geneva Conventions as pursuant to EU’s asylum policy, in other words, withdraw from the thought that it can only accept the immigrants coming from European countries. Turkey’s withdrawal of the limitations is also considered to have a positive influence on the accession process of Turkey. Turkey benefited economically by lifting visa requirements for neighbour countries and many of the African countries who needed to get visa for entering EU.  And harmonizing visa procedures with EU requires reinstating visa procedures for these countries,” stated Asst. Prof. Dr. Bürgin.

‘Unwilling countries; Germany and France…’

Turkey’s no visa policy to African countries would continue until the day it becomes a full member to EU, indicated Asst. Prof. Dr. Bürgin and stated the following:

“If Turkey does not meet the terms of the road map for visa liberalization completely, the member countries, who act with suspicion towards Turkish citizens travelling freely, would slow the visa liberalization process. Countries such as Germany, Holland, Austria, and France stand out against travel freedom idea because they strongly believe that Turkish visitors would violate the ‘maximum of 90 day visit in 180 days’ rule and stay permanently. If convinced that Turkey meets the requirements, The European Commission will recommend lifting the visa requirements. Then, the commission will take the issue to the EU Council, the main decision-making body of the EU. EU member states will then vote on Turkey's visa exemption. However, a unanimous vote will not be required -- meaning countries will not be able to unilaterally block the process. Even so, the Commission would not want to subject unwilling countries, especially Germany and France, to this option. Therefore, I believe that Turkey’s expectation on the visa liberalization process taking place soon is an optimistic one.”