 Turkey's European Union (EU) minister and chief negotiator said on Thursday that Turkey had earned the right to travel to EU member states without a visa but it was still the only candidate country which was asked to get a visa to enter EU.
Egemen Bagis said the EU member states would benefit from increasing number of Turkish visitors in economic and social areas in case the union lifted humiliating visa regulations for Turkey.
"Turkey is the only candidate country to which the EU applies visa procedures," Bagis said in his article published in Austria's Der Standart newspaper.
Bagis said even some third countries were exempted from Schengen visa, the visa rules--Turkish citizens were subject to--were too costly and cumbersome.
"This attitude and policy of EU member states are perceived as double standards and reinforces a sense of alienation from the union," Bagis said.
Bagis said Turkey had benefitted from a variety of legal claims that emerged from long-standing relationship and Association Agreement; and was a member of the Customs Union under the Ankara Agreement.
"All these rights are recognized by the European Court of Justice and national courts of the member states," Bagis said. 
Bagis said Turkey had a stable and dynamic economic growth and had a well-functioning democracy in the last decade.
"Turkey has a key position in the regional fight against current global economic crisis, thanks to its booming economy and increasing foreign trade volume," he said.
Bagis said increasing number of Turkish citizens were returning to their homeland from European countries due to this positive economic outlook and political stability.
"On the other hand, European countries are facing a severe economic crisis. If the humiliating visa procedures are lifted, these countries can make economic and social use of increasing number of Turkish visitors," Bagis said.
Bagis said Turkey was experiencing difficult times with regard to accession negotiations with the EU, and visa procedures were the main issues on which concrete steps should be taken.
"Lifting visa procedures is a must to keep alive the public opinion and interest in Turkey about accession to the EU," Bagis said.
Bagis said Turkey had earned visa-free travel conditions for its citizens, and it had taken measures to meet necessary conditions for visa-free travel within the EU--including the issuance of biometric passports and preparations for the Integrated Border Management (IBM) system.
The minister said Turkey had not signed the re-admission agreement so far because of the European Council's stance that had postponed a permission on a negotiation on visa exemption of Turkish citizens.
"When this authority is given, Turkey will consent to the re-admission agreement. In this context, we expect the EU and member states to take right and logical steps and launch negotiations on free movement without any delay," he said.
Bagis said the EU continued to hamper free movement right, which was setting psychological barriers in the minds and hearts of Turkish people against the EU.
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