The President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has called on the European Union to revise Schengen visa practices.
In his address at the sixth European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Erdogan said that the current restrictions limit economic integration and social mobility, urging the EU to also update the Customs Union, Schengen.News reports.
The President of Türkiye said that the visa practices should be re-evaluated in order to make the travel process easier.
The visa practices such as Schengen, which limit the mobility of our citizens and, consequently, the circulation of goods, services, and capital, must be re-evaluated.
Visa Liberalisation Among Main Issues That Need to Be Resolved
The visa liberalisation issue remains among key issues that need to be resolved as soon as possible, in addition to Türkiye’s goal to become part of the European Union.
In January this year, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, met with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, where the visa liberalisation and the EU accession issues were among the main topics.
In this regard, Minister Fidan called on the European Union authorities to tighten their efforts in order for the visa liberalisation process to be completed.
The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs considered it very important that both parties start working on this matter, alongside the EU accession.
At present, all holders of Türkiye’s passport are required to hold a valid Schengen visa when planning to enter the EU/ Schengen Area.
As a result, authorities in Türkiye have continuously called on the EU authorities to reach a visa liberalisation process that would facilitate the travel process for Turkish nationals.
Erdogan: Update to Customs Union With EU Needed
At today’s summit in Tirana, the Turkish President also emphasised the need to update the Customs Union with the European Union, which would further tighten security across Europe, emphasising the need for policy reforms that would bring benefits for both parties.
As a European continent, we must start transformation at home based on principles of indivisible security, fairer distribution of prosperity.
In March this year, the President of Türkiye said that the EU accession process is a strategic priority for his country.
Erdogan expressed his hopes that “European friends” advance his country’s membership in the bloc. He also said that full EU accession would throw a lifeline to the ageing economy and workforce of the EU.