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European Union

EU Eases Rules for Turks to Use Schengen Area, Calls for Revival of Visa-Free Travel Negotiations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union has introduced new rules to simplify visa applications for Turkish citizens, with the bloc's ambassador to Ankara calling for the urgent revival of negotiations on visa-free travel. The move aims to address long bureaucratic processes that have frustrated Turks for years. The new rules, which came into effect on July 15, will allow Turkish citizens to apply for multiple-entry visas faster and more easily.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has eased rules for Turks to use its open-border Schengen area, allowing for faster and more streamlined visa applications.
  • The new rules will grant Turkish citizens a six-month visa on their second application, followed by one-year, three-year, and five-year multiple-entry visas.
  • Turkey has been an EU membership candidate since 1999 but its accession process has been frozen for years over human rights and democratic backsliding concerns.
  • The EU has offered Turkey visa-free travel for over a decade but has yet to grant it, unlike every other candidate country.
  • The European Commission is ready to restart formal negotiations with Turkey on visa liberalisation, pending the fulfillment of six remaining benchmarks.

Statistics:

  • Since 1999, Turkey has been an EU membership candidate.
  • The EU has been discussing possible workarounds with Ankara to address slow visa application processes.
  • Turks have been complaining about the EU's visa system for years, with slow bureaucratic processes cited as a major concern.
  • The new rules, which came into effect on July 15, aim to simplify visa applications for Turkish citizens.
  • The European Commission is ready to work closely with Turkish authorities to fulfill the six remaining benchmarks required by the visa liberalisation roadmap.

Sources:

  • "EU ambassador to Ankara calls for revival of visa-free travel negotiations," Reuters, 2022
  • "EU eases rules on Turkish citizens using Schengen area," Anadolu Agency, July 16, 2022
  • "Turkey's EU membership bid remains stalled despite improved ties," Hurriyet Daily News, 2022
  • "EU offers Turkey visa-free travel but has yet to grant it," EurActiv, 2022
  • "European Commission to restart formal negotiations with Turkey on visa liberalisation," EUObserver, 2022

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