Immigration: Turkey plays key role for EU

In the eyes of the European Union, Turkey plays a ''key'' role to fight against irregular immigration. This was said today in Brussels by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom during the presentation of the latest EU report on immigration, asylum and freedom of movement. ''We are thinking of opening up dialogue on visas,'' Malmstrom said, ''but within a context of progress, especially on readmission.'' The EU-Turkey readmission agreement, which has not yet been signed by both of the countries involved, concerns both undocumented Turkish nationals and those from third countries who entered the EU illegally, which Ankara would agree to take back onto its territory once expelled from the EU. This treaty is held to be fundamental especially by Greece, which sees 90% of the undocumented immigrants entering the EU cross its border with Turkey. However, Ankara wants the lifting of visa requirements for its nationals within the Schengen zone in exchange: and this is the point on which there is deadlock. ''We are in contact with Turkey,'' added Malmstrom, ''and some progress has been made: Ankara has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Frontex. We hope that the dialogue will continue.'' (ANSAmed).