'Power in Ankara's Hands': Migration Crisis Puts EU in 'Desperate Position'

Turkey has yet to meet the EU's requirements on human rights, press freedom and minority treatment before qualifying for the free travel deal. According to Baydarol, all the conditions were formulated by the EU back in 2013, and if Turkey would have started undertaking active steps at that time, it would have already met most of the requirements.

"If Ankara would have started to gradually implement the EU conditions since 2013, most requirements would have already been met. In this case, we see a significant delaying of the process on the Turkish side," Baydarol said in an interview with Sputnik.

In mid-March, the European Union and Ankara agreed on a deal under which Turkey pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive in the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis. In return, the 28-member bloc pledged to accelerate the Turkish EU accession bid and introduce a visa-free regime between Turkey and Europe.

"In general, the negotiations between Turkey and the EU on visa liberalization can be described as follows: ‘The power of blackmail is in Ankara's hands'. The migration crisis has put Europe in a very difficult, almost desperate position," Baydarol stated.

If the EU doesn't give the green light to visa liberalization, Turkey will suspend implementation of the agreement on the readmission of refugees. And this, in turn, would lead to Europe's inability to stop the inflow of refugees that threatens to destroy the Schengen zone. It is an entirely political decision. There is no other candidate for the role of a "port," which would accept the flow of migrants, except Turkey," the expert said.

At the same time, Baydaro mentioned that the visa-free regime provides only for a short stay in Europe. That means that journalists, scientists or ordinary citizens will be able to travel to Europe without waiting in queues and undergoing lengthy visa procedures.

"However, if the period of their stay in the EU countries exceeds 3 months, they will be put on a "black list" and won't be able to enter Europe next time," the expert said.