Turkey has to consent to a long to-do list before its citizens can step on European territory without a visa.
Developed by the European Commission, the 15-page written document, titled “Dialogue and Cooperation Framework on Justice and Home Affairs between the EU and Turkey: Action Plan Towards Visa Liberalisation” sets out many circumstances while cautiously annulling any reference to a potential date for visa-free traveling to the EU for Turkish citizens. The draft makes it clear that the procedure is a “gradual” one with “a long-run perspective,” emphasizing visa liberalisation is extremely conditional “on an effective and consistent carrying out by Turkey of those necessaries vis-à-vis the EU and its Member States.”
Turkey has took a firm stand that it won’t sign the Readmission Agreement, which will compel Turkey to readmit any illegal immigrants proven to have came in the European Union from Turkey, the most significant circumstance for the EU to initiate visa-free travel, till it first sees the action plan. The draft, developed by the Home Affairs of the European Commission, will first be sent to the relevant directorate-generals of the Commission for their input and then member countries.
