Lifting Visas for Turkey: A Safer EU and Stronger EU Foreign Policy

Bulletin PISM, No 116 (449), December 6, 2012
The Polish Institute of International Affairs

Pinar Elman *

Citizens of Turkey are still subject to EU  visa requirements while all other candidate and potential candidate countries and even some non-candidate countries enjoy visa-free travel to the EU. As the main transit country for illegal migrants to the Union, Turkey’s cooperation is vital for securing the EU’s external borders. In addition, given the number of court decisions that have declared the visa requirements for Turkish citizens illegal, visa liberalisation will contribute to the EU’s image as a rule-of-law promoter.

* Analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs

Download full text (Format Pdf)