Merkel: Visa Waiver May Not Happen by July 1

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German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan within the scope of the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Summit.

Merkel telling Erdoğan that political developments in Turkey are worrying gave the message that visa waiver may not happen by July 1.

Merkel in her statement following the meeting recorded that they spoke clearly of the recent developments in Turkey and said that she conveyed of her criticisms as to the liberties recently in Turkey.

“Parliamentary immunity voting is worrying”

The German Chancellor recorded she told Erdoğan very clearly and openly that parliamentary immunity voting has been “deeply worrying”. Merkel emphasizing the importance of freedom of the jurisprudence and press, said “The matters I voiced in this regards must be clarified” as to the conclusion of her meeting with Erdoğan.

“Integration with Kurdish population is important in terms of stability in Turkey”, added Merkel.

“Visa waiver may delay”

Merkel expressing that President Erdoğan conveyed to her that Turkey won’t revise its Anti-Terror Law, said “If the revisions in question are not enacted in the coming weeks, not all the criteria will have been met. I think new talks need to be held with Turkey”.

Merkel emphasized that in this case the visa waiver may not be in effect by June 1 as planned earlier.

72 criteria

The EU demands Turkey that the last five criteria of the 72 be met for visa waiver to be granted to Turkey. The most disputed one among those ones is redefining “terror” and reforming anti-terror laws. Turkey opposes the revision in anti-terror law. (HK/TK)