“DUTCH DECISION ON VISAS IS A GOOD START”

The Dutch Consulate General in Turkey has recently announced that they will stop using a visa system and begin using a notification system for Turkish businessmen traveling to the Netherlands. Following this announcement, both the Ministry for EU Affairs and members of the Turkish business world responded with great enthusiasm, noting that this decision would be an important step towards completely removing the unfair visa application process that currently applies to Turkey.

The Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis, said that the EU member states would no longer be indifferent to Turkey’s potential.

The Consul General of the Netherlands in Istanbul, Onno Kervers, stated that a formal announcement would be prepared by the Dutch Consulate General in Turkey acknowledging the implementation of the new professional notification system for Turkish businessmen traveling to Netherlands.

Responding to questions by members of the press regarding this important and novel decision by the Netherlands, Mr. Bagis stated “We have always said that as our country gets richer, the closed doors will begin to open one by one. The EU member states will not be indifferent to Turkey’s potential any longer, and we are pleased to see that our efforts have started to bear fruit. Our main objective is that the EU starts the visa exemption application for all Turkish citizens as soon as possible.” Mr. Bagis further stressed the importance of Turkish citizens across Europe taking legal action against the unfair visa applications and restrictions that apply in the countries in which they currently reside.  He noted that the impetus for the visa exemption for Turkish businessmen implemented by the Netherlands had been Turkish citizens filing claims with the Dutch national courts.

Mr. Bagis elaborated on this point by stating,

“There have also been rulings by the Haarlem Court and the Dutch Council of State on this issue. There is no doubt that these rulings are true legal achievements. I would like to once again express my appreciation for the efforts made by those Turkish-Dutch citizens who brought legal claims against these unjust visa requirements, and who decided to take action instead of remaining silent. The Court of Justice of the European Union and the Courts of some EU member states have also given fair rulings to our citizens. Therefore, I believe that the success achieved in the Netherlands will continue. The enforcement of Dutch judicial decisions by the Dutch government should serve as a strong example for other EU member states.”

Then Mr. Bagis took a moment to reflect on the unique and powerful relationship that exists between Turkey and the Netherlands.  “When the Emperor Decree was sent by Sultan Ahmet I to the Dutch Republic 400 years ago, our brotherhood with the Netherlands was founded. Now, in order to transfer this brotherhood without destroying it for future generations, we must always show great sensitivity to our Dutch friends.  The positive approach made by both sides on this visa issue can be seen as a reflection of this longstanding partnership and bond.”

Mr. Bagis further stressed that the visa exemption was not only important  for Turkish businessman but also for alleviating some of the economic problems currently faced by many European countries.  He said “today we are conveying Turkey’s wealth to the European countries that have been hard hit by this economic crisis, and now those countries are looking for ways to  benefit from our prosperity. Today Turkish businessmen bring professionalism, capital, and development to every country in the world in which they invest.  In many ways, Turkey, and its businessmen, can be the remedy to the economic woes that the European Union is experiencing.

Though Mr. Bagis gave his strong support for the step taken by the Dutch government, he made sure to note that Turkey’s work was not finished.  “The Netherlands took a very reasonable and rational step in seeking to benefit from the potential of our businessmen, and though these steps are very important, they are also just temporary solutions to a larger  problem. Our final objective is a wholesale visa exemption that will provide visa free travel for Turkish citizens, not only to the Netherlands, but all of Europe. After all, it is this objective that is at the heart of our negotiations with the European Commission on a visa exemption for Turkey. It is clear that the visa application in force has no legal, political, or humanitarian basis.”

Source: AA