31/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - Turkey: progress towards visa liberalisation with EU. Progress has been made on visa liberalisation for Turkey and on the 72 criteria to be met, the Commission said on Monday 30 May, following a meeting between Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Turkish European Affairs Minister Ömer Celik. “There has been progress” in the five outstanding criteria, said Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas, including on the protection of personal data and readmission of third-country nationals. Celik is expected in Brussels this week to continue discussions and is due to meet Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Commission went on to say. “If we need a little more time (than the initial deadline set for the end of June), so be it”, Schinas stated. (SP)