Turkey's EU Minister says visa-free travel for Turks will work out well

Speaking to EUobserver, Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that visa-free travel to EU-member countries to be ensured for Turkish people would work out well, because Turks no longer wanted to live in the EU. Stating that Turks these days travel to EU capitals to spend money in shops and hotels and revive the EU economy, Bagis said, “In the past, when Turks were asked do you want to live in Europe, 80 percent would say 'yes.' Now, 85 percent say 'no.' Turkish citizens feel there is more hope in Turkey, better job opportunities." Bagis noted that 27,000 Turks went to live in Germany, but 35,000 German citizens moved to Turkey in 2010, adding, "Many of the 5.5 million Turks who live in the EU are considering going to Turkey to seek a better life for themselves and their children."