German Minister Suggests Lifting Visa Requirement for Turks

Minister Gunter Beckstein talked with Zaman before Gerhard Schroder’s visit to Turkey. Beckstein said that visa requirements should be abolished regardless of whether or not Turkey becomes a full E.U. member. Beckstein feels for those who sometimes have to travel up to two days and wait in long lines in front of the German Consulates in Turkey just so that they can get a visa. Beckstein insisted that this hardship should be removed and that Europe should better accommodate Turks who wish to visit their relatives abroad.