The president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and the members of the Assembly suspended the discussion of the record about providing Turkey with EU visa-free regime, reported RIA Novosti based on the statement of the European Parliament deputy from the Netherlands Judith Sippel. Schulz said, that the EU will begin developing Turkey’s file, when Turkey meets all 72 conditions. The cancellation of visas is a part of the agreement on refugees signed between Ankara and Brussels in March. However, in order to reach that point Turkey should fulfill all 72 requirements of the EU.

Last week the European Commission proposed the European Parliament and the EU Council to abolish restrictions for the citizens of Turkey, if Ankara performs the last five conditions of the original list until the end of June. Among them are corruption prevention measures , negotiations on an agreement with Europol , judicial cooperation with all member countries, update of data protection rules in accordance with the EU standards, and revision of legislation on the fight against terrorism .

The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly criticized the position of the European Commission. According to him, Ankara will not change its anti-terror laws. At the same time, the Turkish leader said that his country " goes its own way ."

 

Intro: The president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and the members of the Assembly suspend the discussion of the file about providing Turkey with visa-free regime until Turkey meets all 72 EU conditions.