Hakan Fidan announces: First official move regarding Schengen visa rejections from Turkey

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan responded to parliamentary questions regarding Schengen visas submitted by CHP Eskişehir Deputy Jale Nur Süllü and CHP Kahramanmaraş Deputy Ali Öztunç.

According to a report by Hürriyet, Fidan explained the developments in the 'Visa Liberalization Dialogue' initiated between Turkey and the European Union in response to Süllü's questions.

Fidan summarized the developments as follows:

“66 out of the 72 criteria in the Visa Liberalization Roadmap have been fulfilled by our country, and efforts are ongoing to meet the remaining six criteria and ensure the sustainability of the criteria already met. Developments and our expectations regarding the Visa Liberalization Dialogue are being shared with the EU side. Work continues to meet the remaining six criteria and ensure the sustainability of the criteria already met."

Fidan also responded to CHP member Ali Öztunç's parliamentary question regarding rejection rates in Schengen visa applications as follows:

“According to EU Commission (European Commission) data, rejection rates for Schengen visa applications made at consulates in Turkey, which were around 4 percent in 2014, 2015, and 2016, increased every year after 2016 to reach 17 percent in 2021, and showed a decrease in 2022 to 15.7 percent. Our expectation that these problems be overcome as soon as possible has been conveyed to our counterparts repeatedly; the ambassadors of the relevant countries were invited to our ministry, where our expectations and demands were conveyed firsthand, and these issues were also shared via diplomatic note.”