The decree is based on Article 41 of an additional protocol signed by Turkey and the European Economic Community on 23 November 1970.
The court case had begun after two truck drivers, Mehmet Soysal and İbrahim Savatlı, had applied to the Berlin Federal Court in Germany for a cancellation of visa requirements. The European Court of Justice had been asked for a decision.
Not applicable to all Turkish citizens travelling to EU
EU legal experts have said that the decision is based on basic principles of law and is written in clear language, which makes it unlikely that there will be appeals.
This decree does not mean, of course, that all citizens of Turkey are allowed to enter EU member states without a visa. Rather, it exempts business people or employees on business trips from having to apply for visa when travelling to the EU.
The decree may result in EU member states allowing Turkish citizens to apply for a “visa exemption” status. (TK/AG)