EU Criticised Over Strict Schengen Visa Rules for Turkish Businesspeople

The European Union has been criticised once again over the strict Schengen visa rules for Turkish businesspeople who want to reach the bloc for trade purposes.

This time, the criticism came from the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK). Its president, Nail Olpak, warned that the failure of the EU authorities to resolve the visa-related problems shows an attitude of a trade war, Schengen.News reports. 

As Hurriyet Daily News explains, during his meeting with journalists, Olpak said that he is deeply concerned about the developments as Türkiye has 56 per cent of its imports and 50 per cent of its imports to and from the EU. 

At the same time, commenting on the visa issues, Olpak said that despite the EU and Türkiye restarting the dialogue, business people expect more measures to be taken that are aimed at making their movement for trade purposes within the bloc.

As the same source further explains, Olpak said that the visa problems are preventing businesspeople from carrying out their activities and said that there are many protectionist policies preventing the operation of Turkish contractors in the EU. 

This is not the first time that the EU has been criticised for keeping in place strict visa rules for Turkish businesspeople and contractors. 

Strict Visa Rules Damaging Trade Relations 
The President of the International Transporters Association (UND), Şerafettin Aras, said a couple of months ago that the strict Schengen visa rules that are being applied to Turkish truck drivers are damaging the trade relationships. 

His comment came not long after a large number of Turkish businesspeople said that they were experiencing long waiting periods and denials. 

According to Aras, the impact of the visa hurdles that Turkish drivers are facing is profound. However, he stressed that the strict visa rules penalise the bloc itself as by creating obstacles in the visa process, the EU is imposing limitations on its own consumers and businesses. 

To help resolve the visa issues that Turkish truck drivers face, the association proposed several measures. It said that the EU member states should prioritise granting Schengen visas to drivers. 

Moreover, the association proposed that truck drivers be issued multiple-entry visas, be permitted to undergo a facilitated visa application process, and have their applications processed under an accelerated procedure.

Source: https://schengen.news/eu-criticised-over-strict-schengen-visa-rules-for-turkish-businesspeople/