BERLIN (Sputnik) — Ankara and Brussels are in talks on visa liberalization. The European Union has put forward 72 requirements for Turkey to comply with. Most of the requirements have already been fulfilled by Ankara, though some problematic criteria remain, including the revision of Turkey’s national anti-terrorism laws and freedom of the press.
"The negotiations in the Turkish parliament on the issue of changes in the corresponding legislation should start immediately. If it does not happen, European institutions will not be able to implement their roadmaps. Then, I do not see possibility for abolition of visa regime for the Turkish citizens in October," Schulz told the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper.
In March, Brussels and Ankara agreed on a deal, under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants, who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey. In return, the bloc pledged to introduce a visa-free regime, as well as to accelerate the Turkish EU accession bid.
