MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In a statement broadcast by the NTV channel, Cavusoglu declared that his country was close to completing its work on meeting all 72 EU criteria, including changes in passports.
"Turkish citizens deserve the right to travel to European countries without visas. We are about to complete a technical study, including on [changes in] passports. We are now waiting to hear what the European Commission has to say in its report," Cavusoglu said.
The European Commission is expected to deliver its verdict on free-travel for Turks later today. It is part of an EU-Turkey deal on refugees.
Turkey has yet to meet EU requirements on protections for human rights, press freedom and minorities, but the foreign minister said it was ready to tackle any shortcomings that Brussels would point out.
