Europe

Turkey hopeful on EU visa-free deal for citizens

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks to the media during a joint news conference with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, European Union's Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016. Mogherini says the 28-member bloc and Turkey agree that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that only a political solution can bring peace to the war-torn country. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

European Union's Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn speaks to the media during a joint news conference with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016. Mogherini says the 28-member bloc and Turkey agree that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that only a political solution can bring peace to the war-torn country.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, second left, EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, left, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, second right, and Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik speak to the media after their talks in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016. Mogherini says the 28-member bloc and Turkey agree that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and that only a political solution can bring peace to the war-torn country.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's foreign minister says he believes Turkey and the European Union can come to an agreement on granting visa-free travel for Turks.

Turkey has threatened to scrap a key deal with the EU on stemming the flow of migrants heading from Turkey to Europe if visa restrictions for citizens traveling to Europe are not eased by October.

Plans to loosen visa rules came to a standstill after Turkey voiced reluctance to amend anti-terrorism laws that were part of a list of criteria the country is required to fulfil.

During a news conference with top EU officials, Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday Turkey had suggested "alternative proposals" and "a common understanding" between Ankara and Brussels was starting to emerge.

Cavusoglu said: "I believe that with this understanding we will overcome the problem."