IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoglu made a statement touching upon the Presidential Circular on the visa liberalsation process for short-term travels to the Schengen Area. Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that the Circular is important in terms of meeting the remaining criteria in the visa liberalization process and that it will accelerate the works to be done. In addition, Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that the harmonization process should continue in line with the developments in the EU legislation and the continuity of the circular should be ensured. IKV Chairman Zeytinoglu commented as follows:

‘’We hope the Presidential Circular published in the Official Gazette would accelerate the efforts to fully meet the criteria designated in the visa liberalization roadmap, which Turkey has compromised with the EU. Turkey has fulfilled a significant portion of the 72 criteria laid down in the road map. 66 of the 72 criteria have been met. However, the remaining criteria include issues that we may have more difficulty in fulfilling. For example, it envisages changes in the anti-terror legislation in line with EU and Council of Europe principles.  The point here is not to weaken the fight against terrorism, but rather to strengthen issues that can be considered under freedom of expression by decriminalizing them. Other criteria include establishment of the anti-corruption strategy, the completion of the operational co-operation agreement with Europol, and judicial co-operation with EU Member States. Turkey also needs to closely monitor changes in the EU legislation on data protection.”

Chairman Zeytinoğlu stated that visa liberalization is also closely in relation with irregular migration and refugee management and reminded that the implementation of the Turkey-EU Readmission Agreement also constitutes a criterion for visa liberalisation. Chairman Zeytinoğlu concluded that:

‘’Controlling migration is a fundamental priority for the EU. Also, this subject is in the foreground in relations with Turkey for a while. There is close cooperation, especially in the matter of refugee influx from Syria. In the visa liberalisation process, the implementation of the readmission agreement signed with the EU in 2013 is one of the criteria. Fulfillment of this condition will install new responsibilities on Turkey such as readmission of irregular migrants passing through Turkey to the EU. However, currently Turkey is already faces irregular migratory flows. The arrival of a new influx of immigration from Idlib may test Turkey’s reception capacity which has already exceeded. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to enhance cooperation with the EU on this issue and to strengthen the burden-sharing efforts. That's why we expect the EU to be more supportive economically and morally in this regard and to side with Turkey.’’