Turkey’s call for EU membership and visa liberalization

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke at the joint press conference with Oliver Varhelyi, a member of the European Union (EU) Neighborhood and Enlargement Commission, after their meeting at the ministry.

Minister Fidan said: “It is essential to pave the way for Turkey’s membership process in the EU and revitalize our relations on the basis of the membership perspective. Among our expectations are also the advances in the visa liberalization process. We reiterate our need for cooperation on the basis of fair burden sharing in the fight against irregular migration,” he stated.

Fidan said: “We hope that the European Union will not tolerate political obstruction. We want them to show the necessary will and act more courageously for the progress of our relations,” he said. Fidan said: “There is no change in the prospect of Turkey’s membership in the European Union. “This is a very strong political will “, he claimed.

Fidan also stated that the revolt of the Arab tribes against the YPG occupation in Syria is a situation they foresee, saying, “The portrayal of YPG terrorism as a legitimate force must end. If not, the conflicts we see (in Deir ez-Zor) are just the beginning,” he stated.

In his speech, Varhelyi said: “I think we can improve EU-Turkey relations with the establishment of the new government in Ankara.” (AGENCIES)