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'Turkey needs to fulfil deal' to gain visa-free EU travel Turkey 'needs to fulfil deal' to gain visa-free EU travel
(about 1 hour later)
A deal to allow Turks visa-free travel within Europe will collapse if Ankara does not fulfil its commitments, the European Commission president warns. A deal to allow Turks visa-free travel within Europe will collapse if Turkey does not fulfil its commitments, the European Commission president has said.
Jean-Claude Juncker said changes to Turkey's anti-terror laws was one of a number of conditions that needed to be fulfilled for visa liberalisation. Jean-Claude Juncker said changes to Turkey's laws on terrorism were one of a number of conditions that needed to be fulfilled for visa liberalisation.
But Turkey has refused to do so, saying it needs the laws to fight militants.But Turkey has refused to do so, saying it needs the laws to fight militants.
The visa issue is part of a larger agreement between the two sides aimed at easing Europe's migration crisis.The visa issue is part of a larger agreement between the two sides aimed at easing Europe's migration crisis.
"We consider that it is important for these conditions to be fulfilled. Otherwise, this deal between the EU and Turkey will not happen," Mr Juncker said.
Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the EU that Ankara would not change its anti-terror laws.
What is the Schengen agreement?What is the Schengen agreement?
Turks look to EU to scrap visasTurks look to EU to scrap visas
"We consider that it is important for these conditions to be fulfilled, otherwise this deal between the EU and Turkey will not happen," Mr Juncker said. There are fears the whole migrant deal can collapse if the visa dispute is not resolved.
Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the EU that Ankara would not change its anti-terror laws. Turkey has already threatened to stop taking back migrants from Greece if the EU fails to deliver on the issue.
'We're counting on this'
The migrant agreement was largely negotiated by outgoing Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Mr Juncker added that Mr Davutoglu's departure could not jeopardise what had been previously agreed.
"We are counting on this, we agreed this with the Turkish government and it can't be that the exit of the prime minister leads to agreements between the EU and Turkey being ignored.
"If Mr. Erdogan decides to deny Turks the right to free travel to Europe, then he must explain this to the Turkish people. It will not be my problem, it will be his problem."
Five benchmarks still to be met by Turkey:
The deal was offered in return for Turkey taking back migrants who crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece.
The EU fears that without it, Turkey will not control migration.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.