EU welcomes Turkish parliament\'s draft law on foreigners, international protection

European Union (EU) welcomed Turkish Parliament\'s adopted draft law on foreigners and international protection. The adopted draft law harmonizes Turkey\'s laws on foreigners, foreigners\' entry into Turkey, foreigners\' stay in Turkey and foreigners\' exit from Turkey with EU laws. EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule and commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstrom released a joint statement on the adoption by the Turkish Parliament of the law on foreigners and international protection. \"The Commission welcomes the adoption yesterday by the Turkish Parliament of the law on foreigners and international protection. This law is a clear sign of Turkey\'s efforts to establish a sound legal and institutional framework for migration and asylum. This law and the institutions that it provides for indicate Turkey\'s clear commitment to build an effective migration management system in line with EU and international standards. In this context the Commission also welcomes the advanced steps taken by Turkey in the field of respect of human rights,\" said the statement of Fule and Malstrom. It was also added, \"It is also worth noting that the adoption of these key reforms takes place amid substantial and commendable efforts deployed by Turkey to provide assistance and protection to a very high number of people fleeing the conflict in Syria. The Commission is confident that, once properly implemented, this law will also address several issues identified in the Commission Roadmap for visa liberalisation which will constitute the basis for the visa liberalisation dialogue once this will start.\" The covered that the Commission was ready to extend its support with all necessary instruments to Turkey in its quest to reshape its migration and asylum management. According to the draft law, those individuals who are not citizens of any country in the world may be able to obtain an ID card in Turkey as a stateless individual. Those foreigners who stay in Turkey for a period of eight years with residence permit or those foreigners who meet the criteria set forth by the Migration Policies Board will be able to obtain a permanent residency permit. Foreigners who will stay in Turkey as a transit passenger may be required to obtain a transit visa, according to the draft law. The draft law makes it possible for victims of human trafficking to obtain residency permit in Turkey up to 30 days. According to the draft law, an individual may apply at a Turkish court to challenge a deportation decision against him/her in Turkey.