Turkey Take Step Toward Visa-free Travel

The European Union took steps on Wednesday towards lifting visa requirements for Turkish citizens, in a move underscoring a new thaw in relations between Ankara and the 28-member bloc.The two sides agreed to sign an agreement allowing EU governments to send back illegal immigrants crossing into Europe from Turkey. In return, the EU agreed to enter into official discussions on how the current requirement for a visa when travelling to Europe could be dropped.Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, lies on a major route for illegal migration into Europe from Africa and the Middle East.But talks on the "readmission agreement" to send back illegal immigrants have been stalled for years, largely due to Turkish distrust over the EU's willingness to ease visa rules.

"The agreement creates sustainable momentum in our relations that should first of all have the positive impact of putting accession talks back on track," EU enlargement commission Stefan Fuele told reporters.In another sign of improved relations, Turkey and the EU began a new round of membership talks last month. Talks had been delayed by the bloc in protests over a Turkish crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying. But a series of political obstacles, notably over the divided island of Cyprus, and resistance to Turkish membership in Germany and France, have slowed progress.

Turkish citizens have taken a step closer to visa-free travel to the EU, officials from the European Commission and the Turkish government said on Wednesday.Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu told reporters in Brussels will sign a agreement on December the 16th.He said the deal marked a "historic day for Turkish people, for the EU and for the process of Turkish integration.""After long efforts by Turkish and European authorities, today we agreed to start, to launch visa liberalisation dialogue and also to sign readmission agreement," Ankara's top diplomat said.In return, Ankara will be expected to sign a deal that will allow EU governments to send back illegal immigrants crossing into Europe from Turkey.