Turkish PM Erdogan says Turkey will take burden off EU on illegal immigrants with newly signed readmission agreement.
Turkey and the European Union (EU) signed the Readmission Agreement on Monday that will allow Turkish citizens to enjoy visa-free travel to European countries.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Turkey would not be a burden to the EU, but it would take the burden off the EU countries with the agreement that will allow the return of the citizens of non-member countries that travel to Europe illegally.
“Nobody should be worried when visas are lifted with the EU. We are not coming to be a burden, we are coming to take the burden off” said Erdogan.
Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, lies on a major route for illegal migration into Europe from Africa and the Middle East.
Talks on the readmission agreement which allows the return of illegal immigrants has been stalled for years, largely due to Turkish distrust over the EU’s willingness to ease visa rules.
Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying. However, a series of political obstacles; notably over the divided island of Cyprus, and resistance to Turkish membership from Germany and France, have slowed progress.
