BAGIS SAID “WE DESERVE VISA EXEMPTION”

Making contacts in Strausburg, Ministers for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis touched upon Turkey’s visa exemption process when he met with Cecilia Mamström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Within the framework of Strasbourg Programme, Bagis met with Jaroslaw Walesa, the chair of the ad hoc delegation for the observation of trials of journalists in Turkey; Michael Cashman and Barbara Matera, the group members; Hannes Swoboda, member of the European Parliament and the chair of the S&D Group; Guy Verhofstadt, Leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

Bagis met with Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy and Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs. Afterwards, Bagis answered the questions of the members of the press.

Bagis said: “Malmström guaranteed to present us a road map that will be concluded with visa exemption within a couple of weeks.” Bagis stated that when they received the mentioned road map regarding visa exemption, they would evaluate it and would carry out negotiations with the EU Commission.

Bagis said: “EU has some expectations from Turkey and Turkey also has some expectations from the EU. Our greatest expectation is the exemption of the visas that are unfairly and unjustly applied to the Turkish citizens.

Bagis stated: “Malmström guaranteed us that the road map regarding the visa exemption would be remote from the political manoeuvres and that it would contain objective criteria.”

Bagis said: “Our aim is to enable 75 million Turkish citizens to travel to EU countries and Schengen countries with the passport of the Republic of Turkey. We want to provide Turkish citizens a visa-free travel. This is our most fundamental right and expectation. We deserve the visa exemption in many respects.”

Bagis met with Ria Oomen Rujiten, EP's Turkey rapporteur and they talked about 2012 Turkey’s Progress Report and the developments in Turkey.