Press Release: European Commission opens way for decision by June on visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey

The European Commission proposed on 4 May 2016 to the European Parliament and Council of the European Union to lift the visa requirements for the citizens of Turkey, under the understanding that the Turkish authorities would fulfil, as a matter of urgency and as they committed to do so on 18 March 2016, the outstanding benchmarks of its Visa Liberalisation Roadmap.

The proposal was presented together with a Report on progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of the Roadmap.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan refused on 7 May 2016 to change the country's terror laws as part of the roadmap towards visa liberalisation, hardening his stance against the EU.

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/1625, 04.05.16: Questions & Answers: Third Report on Progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of its Visa Liberalisation Roadmap http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-1625_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/1664, 04.05.16: Implementing the EU-Turkey Agreement – Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-1664_en.htm

ESO: Background information: The Looming EU-Turkey Visa Drama http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-looming-eu-turkey-visa-drama/

Politico, 04.05.16: Commission recommends lifting visa restrictions on Turkey http://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-recommends-lifting-visa-restrictions-on-turkey-migrants-refugees/

EurActiv, 04.05.16: Commission admits visa-free travel for Turks depends on national parliaments http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/commission-admits-visa-free-travel-for-turks-depends-on-national-parliaments/

EUObserver, 04.05.16: EU says Turkey almost ready for visa-free access https://euobserver.com/migration/133343

Deutsche Welle, 04.5.16: EU executive conditionally backs visa-free travel from Turkey http://dw.com/p/1IhVr

ESO: Background information: Speech: Remarks by First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Avramopoulos at the Readout of the College Meeting of 4 May 2016 https://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1212793

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 04.05.16: Visa liberalisation: Turkey must meet all benchmarks before EP can vote http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160504IPR25841/

Hürriyet Daily News, 06.05.16: Turkey hopeful of overcoming EP’s possible resistance on visa waiver http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-hopeful-of-overcoming-eps-possible-resistance-on-visa-waiver.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98795&NewsCatID=510

BBC News, 06.05.16: Turkey's Erdogan takes tough EU line after PM quits http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36229468

Politico, 05.05.16: EU ‘sacrifices’ press freedom for Turkish help http://www.politico.eu/blogs/spence-on-media/2016/05/eu-sacrifices-press-freedom-for-turkish-help-migration-refugees-crisis-turkey-deal-erdogan-boehmermann/

EurActiv, 09.05.16: Erdogan says Turkey will not change its anti-terrorism law http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/erdogan-says-turkey-will-not-change-its-anti-terrorism-law/

EUObserver, 06.05.16: Turkish leader parts way with the EU https://euobserver.com/foreign/133361

Politico, 05.05.16: [Opinion]: Turkey power shift upends EU refugee deal http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-power-shift-hurts-eu-refugee-deal-migration-ahmet-davutoglu-recep-tayyip-erdogan/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 10.05.16: Visa liberalisation for Turkey: EU criteria must be met, say MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160509IPR26368/

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2016: EU and Erdoğan clash over visa-free travel http://www.eurotopics.net/en/158756/eu-and-erdoan-clash-over-visa-free-travel

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