BRUSSELS: The European Union's executive Commission is recommending that Turkish citizens be allowed to travel to Europe without visas on short vacations and business trips.
The Commission said Wednesday that Turkey has met most of the 72 criteria needed for a visa waiver, and it invited member states and EU lawmakers to endorse the move by June 30.
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said "there is still work to be done as a matter of urgency but if Turkey sustains the progress made, they can meet the remaining benchmarks."
Turkey must fulfill the final five criteria before the visa waiver is approved.
The move is part of a package of incentives offered to Turkey — including up to 6 billion euros ($6.8 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees and fast-track EU membership talks — to persuade Ankara to stop migrants heading to Europe and take thousands back from Greece.
AP
