Impact of the visa policy of European Union on Turkey's accession to the EU

European Union's visa policy started with abolution of visa requirements between the member states of the Council of Europe within the framework of the Council of Europe Agreement on Free Movement of Persons in 1957. The development of the European Union's visa policy has been with Council Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 of laying down a uniform format for visas, Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas and Schengen Agreement. In addition to this, European Union's visa policy with a common visa (Schengen Visa) has reached the level of integration. Turkey also was bound to the Council of Europe Agreement in 1957 governing Free Movement of Persons between Member States of the Council of Europe. Because both Turkey and the member states of European Community were parties to the Council of Europe Agreement on Free Movement of Persons in 1957, visa free travel application within the framework the agreement was valid for nationals of each sides. In this context, there was free movement of persons between Turkey and the EU until 1980. However the member states of European Union suspended the application of the agreement with regard to nationals of Turkey. In this context, in the study are examined the rights of Turkish nationals arising from Additional Protocol providing rules on the implementation of the Ankara Agreement relating to visa-free travel and are argued that EU's practices against Turkish nationals are contrary to association law. In addition to this, in the study are examined EU and Turkey relations relating to visa issues and are questioned to effect on Turkey's EU accession negotiations of the EU's negative attitude. In the study are evaluated the alternative policy recommendations Turkey might prefer against the EU's negative attitude. Keywods: EU Visa Policy, Schengen Agreement, EU and Turkey Relations, Ankara Agreement and Additional Protocol, Turkey's EU Membership Process