Merkel says Turkey visa-free deal unlikely by July 1
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 May 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Merkel says Turkey visa-free deal unlikely by July 1, 23 May 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5769014915.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 23, 2016
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said an EU plan to give visa-free travel to Turkey by July 1 will have to be delayed amid concerns that Ankara will not meet key conditions of the deal in time.
The bloc has demanded that Turkey implement a series of reforms, including changing its terrorism laws, to meet EU political requirements. Ankara has so far refused to carry out the reforms.
Merkel said the requirements for the deal had "not been able to be completed yet" in a press conference after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a UN humanitarian summit in Istanbul.
"We must do everything that we can to continue to discuss, as it is likely that by July 1 certain things will not be put in place," she said.
Merkel told Erdogan of her "deep concern" over a law lifting the immunity of Turkish lawmakers that critics believe is aimed at evicting pro-Kurdish lawmakers from parliament.
The visa deal is part of an agreement between Turkey and the EU to deal with the migrant crisis in Europe.
Based on reporting by dpa and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
