A FriendHer Schengen Visa System as a Tool of "Soft Power'': The Experience of Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, it is argued that Turkey's geographical location, accompanied by the extensive commercial, cultural and social relations that have developed since the end of the Cold War between Turkey and its immediate neighbourhood, provides an opportunity for the EU to consider formulating a more flexible Schengen visa policy that can also be in harmony with efforts to develop the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Such a policy can also ease the economic and political costs of Turkey's integration into the EU. This need not necessarily lead to compromising security and border control. A modified and better calibrated Turkish visa regime and a Schengen visa system that is able to adjust itself to the lessons of the Turkish experience could become a pillar of that bridge building effort and hence of the ENP too.

Keywords

Turkey, European Union, Immigration, Schengen Visa System, European Neighbourhood Policy

Citation

Kirişçi, Kemal, "A FriendHer Schengen Visa System as a Tool of 'Soft Power': The Experience of Turkey", International Relations, Volume 4, Issue 13 (Spring 2007), pp. 27-56.

Affiliations

• Kemal Kirişçi, Jean Monnet Professor, Boğaziçi University, Department of Political Science and International Relations