Turkish official calls EU visa regime "unjust and unlawful"

The unfair system under which Turks are forced to apply for visas for European Union countries constitutes a violation of community law, according to a top Turkish official. "The application of the visa [regime] is inconsistent with community rights. It is unjust and unlawful," said Deputy Interior Undersecretary Zekeriya Sarbak, speaking yesterday at a seminar in Istanbul on human rights and migration in Europe, organized by the Council of Europe. "We hope the [regime] will be removed as soon as possible." Sarbak said security concerns are often used politically to restrict migrants' rights, adding that while dealing with migration issues states also have to address human rights. As a Mediterranean country, and an EU neighbor, Turkey is often confronted with illegal migration concerns, especially smuggling, according to Sarbak, who called on all countries in Europe to cooperate with each other and international organizations to design coherent migration policies. Representatives of governments, international organizations and civil society organizations, as well as academics, are participating in the seminar, which ends today.