IKV Chairperson Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made a statement on Germany's launch of internal border controls. Chairperson Zeytinoğlu noted that the issue has also been on the agenda in Türkiye and has led to some common misunderstandings. Stressing the importance of clarifying this issue, Chairperson Zeytinoğlu said the following:

“Last June, Germany announced that it would reintroduce border controls at its borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, taking advantage of an exception to the Schengen system. Now, as of 16 September 2024, it will start controls at the borders of its other border neighbours Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Denmark. As is well known, the Schengen Area constitutes a free movement zone where internal border controls are lifted. According to the Schengen system, there must be some force majeure for the resumption of internal border controls. These may be due to a serious threat to internal security or public policy. They should be applied in exceptional circumstances and as a last resort. The measure must be proportionate and limited in duration. For now, the controls, which started on September 16, 2024, are expected to continue for six months. The controls, which started in June, expire at the end of December but can be extended. As for Germany's reasons, they are listed as follows: Security risks associated with irregular migration, smuggling, increasing illegal entries at the EU's external borders, dwindling accommodation opportunities for refugees, pressure on the asylum system, security challenges from terrorist groups in the Middle East. In Germany, the far-right AfD's significant increase in its share of the vote in both the European Parliament elections in June and in the state elections in the east of the country, as well as the significant vote share of the newly formed populist left-wing BSW party, have pushed coalition partners to take stricter measures, especially on irregular migration and asylum. The reintroduction of border controls is not the end of the Schengen Area. However, it points to serious problems regarding migration and asylum.”

Chairperson Zeytinoğlu also emphasized the visa issue, which is a problem for Turkish citizens:

“The regulation introduced by Germany means passport and ID checks at all border crossings. It is not a special case for Turkish citizens. However, officials have the right to refuse entry even if they have a visa. The German Embassy in Ankara said the checks will not affect the visa issuance process for Türkiye. However, the long waits and increasing rejection rates in the visa process pose a serious problem for Turkish citizens and especially businesspeople traveling to Germany and other Schengen Area countries. According to the figures, illegal border crossings increased by 33% in 2023, with Syria, Afghanistan and Turkish citizens at the top of the list. In Germany, where the approach to illegal immigration has already hardened, applications from Türkiye are treated with security concerns. However, this approach also blocks the path of citizens who are going to Germany for purposes such as education, conferences, business and trade. It also negatively affects relations. As Türkiye, it is important that we complete the remaining criteria in the visa liberalization process initiated with the EU and raise this issue before the EU and Member States.”