Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls on the EU for common sense: Expectation of concrete steps on visa liberalization

Foreign Minister Fidan called for common sense and fairness during a phone call yesterday evening with Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement.

It was learned that the meeting addressed the conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council on Enlargement held on December 12, as well as the conclusions of the EU Summit held on December 14-15, 2023.

Foreign Minister Fidan pointed out to EU Commissioner Varhelyi that in these times of intensifying global challenges, the EU should act with a strategic perspective and advance its relations with Turkey.

DEMAND FOR VISA LIBERALIZATION

According to information obtained, Foreign Minister Fidan reiterated that Turkey expects the European Union to take concrete steps as soon as possible on issues such as updating the Customs Union, increasing cooperation in the field of investment, and providing visa facilitation.

It was also learned that during his phone call with EU Commissioner Varhelyi, Foreign Minister Fidan expressed that he did not find it appropriate that the Joint Communication prepared by the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, regarding Turkey-EU relations, was not addressed at the EU Summit held last week, contrary to what was expected, and was instead postponed to the next summit.