ISTANBUL, June 18 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday urged the European Union (EU) to boost bilateral ties through allowing Turks visa-free travel to the Schengen zone.
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic added that Ankara expects the Europeans to carry on with their constructive stance over the coming period on the responsibilities Turkey bears for the implementation of the agreement both singed in March.
Bilgic referred to the European Commission (EC'S) second report issued on Wednesday on the progress made in the implementation of the March 18 EU-Turkey Statement regarding combating illegal migration through the Aegean Sea. The EC's report said that the Statement was "delivering results." It demonstrated through figures Turkey's significant role, the spokesperson said. He stressed that returning migrants from the islands in the Aegean Sea and resettlement in the EU countries as part of the agreement were conducted line with the EU and the international criteria.
On Wednesday, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos told a press conference that the outcome of the agreement was shown through the decline in the migrants who arrived in Greece through Turkey. (end) ta.msa