EU Commissioner says Turkey very close to completion criteria for visa-free travel

Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship has made a statement saying parties are very close to completing the 72 criteria to be fulfilled for Turkey to be granted visa-free travel right. He added that Turkish officials were determined to complete the criteria as soon as possible”.

Avramopoulos told reporters in Brussels there were positive signals about the visa liberalization and there were only 7 more criteria to be completed within the scope of the agreement.

He also emphasized that Turkey would continue to remain as a strategic partner of Europe.

Avramopoulos noted that Turkey had suffered great pressure due to the failed coup attempt and terror attacks and added that this had caused the Turkish people to suffer a trauma as well.

Avramopoulos also underlined the importance of cooperation between the EU and Turkey in fighting terrorism.