The European Commission has presented a comprehensive report on its political, economic, and trade relations with Turkey, proposing additional steps toward Schengen visa facilitation. The report underscores visa facilitation as a key element in fostering people-to-people connections between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, signaling a commitment to strengthen ties.
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlightenment, Olivér Várhelyi, stressed the urgent need for a constructive approach to support the proposed actions. He highlighted the priority of advocating for facilitated access to visa applications, particularly for businesspeople and students. Additionally, Commissioner Várhelyi called for issuing multiple-entry visas with extended validity to Turkish nationals, aiming to further enhance cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
Beyond visa-related matters, the Commission’s report addresses the significance of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. It encourages closer collaboration between the EU and Turkey on various fronts, including migration, trade, investments, connectivity, and green and digital transitions.
Turkey has consistently advocated for more lenient Schengen visa rules for its citizens. Recently, Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, expressed dissatisfaction with increased Schengen visa rejection rates and urged the EU to take corrective measures. Minister Fidan conveyed Turkey’s expectations to the EU and emphasized the need for a prompt resolution to ongoing visa-related issues. He also called for Schengen countries to issue long-term visas with multiple entries for Turkish citizens, emphasizing that Turkey is actively working on this matter.
