EU-Turkey Visa Liberalization and Overcoming the “Fear of Turks”: The Security and Economic Dimensions

Ultimately, the decision to liberalize visas for Turkish nationals is supposed to be merit-based. However, there are concerns that the decision might become politicized. The EU member states would garner economic benefits from the freer movement for Turkish nationals. The fear that Turkish nationals would violate the terms of visa-free travel lacks evidentiary support. A greater recognition of this reality is likely to enhance Turkey’s confidence in the EU’s credibility. In turn, this would motivate the Turkish government to implement its end of the deal with greater conviction, especially the part that requires Turkey to combat irregular transit migration of third-country nationals to the EU.