EU: Turkey must do more on visa liberalisation

The European Commission Monday presented its first report on progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements set in its visa liberalisation roadmap.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, commenting on the report said Turkey "is doing effective efforts to meet the criteria identified in its visa liberalisation roadmap" but noted that work is still needed in areas like border management, and police and judicial cooperation.
The report recommends that Turkey will need to start issuing new passports that include biometric data, ensure effective implementation of the new Law on Foreigners and International Protection, and set up a more modern, effective and integrated border management system.
It says the "EU expects full and effective implementation of the EU-Turkey readmission agreement on illegal immigrants that has entered into force on 1 October 2014." On public order and security, the report underlines that Turkish authorities need to sign, ratify, and start implementing several international conventions, to adopt national legislation in line with European and international standards, and to continue the reform of Turkey's justice system.
In the area of fundamental rights, Turkey should continue to revise anti-terrorism legislation, recommends the report.
Turkey will also need to adopt and implement a comprehensive strategy and action plan to improve the situation for people with Roma heritage living in Turkey, according to the report.
The EU launched a visa liberalisation dialogue with Turkey in December 2013, in parallel with the signature of the EU-Turkey readmission agreement.