eu-com-schengen-coop

LSC exchanged information on the collection of the visa fee, notably in what concerns the currency
to be used for the payment, concluding for the inequality of practices, as some Member States
charge in Euros, other in Turkish Liras at the market exchange rate and a third group charges also in
the local currency with periodic adjustments of the rate.
Another discussion within LSC dealt with the “Top 10 Points where the Visa Code should be
amended" and suggestions were sent to Brussels for further consultation with MS.
3.4 Any other initiative taken in LSC
Following the first positive experience of Konya (December 2013), a second wave of public
diplomacy initiatives was projected and started in collaboration with the Union of Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). It was agreed with the Head of European Union
Department to initiate a two year program called "LSC Visa information Dialogue with Business
Community in Turkey" and consisting in visits to TOBB branches all over Turkey (4-5 visits every
year), a presentation of the Schengen rule and procedures and a Q&A session, dedicated to address
doubts and complaints from the local business community. The first session took place in Ankara
on the 21 st of March. Following appointments have been scheduled in Trabzon (May 2014),
Gaziantep (June 2014), Bursa (September 2014), Eskisehir (November 2014).
LSC updated two draft Schengen Information advertorials explaining the Schengen visa
system to the general public in a comprehensive manner as well as flyers to be published
and distributed at Schengen visa locations and during the public policy initiatives.
LSC has been following the developments of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue between
Turkey and EU and the approval of the Readmission Agreement. Several colleagues of the
LSC group also attended the meetings and de-breifing sessions with the expert mission
aiming at assessing the legal framework and the administrative practices and capacities
currently available in Turkey in the areas concerned by the Roadmap.
On 14.11.2013, at the invitation of the Consular Section of the Embassy of Germany in
Ankara, a substantial number of LSC Member States visited the premises of the latest and
had the opportunity to get acquainted with the working methodology. The visit was
followed by a round-table discussion, which enabled the sharing of good-practices and gave
clues for further harmonization of the “Schengen visa” praxis in Turkey.
4. Challenges in 2014-2015
The LSC in Turkey will continue the harmonization work within the framework of the EU Visa
Code. The approach of the Turkish public administration towards the Schengen Visa Regime
remains critical especially in regards to the debate on visa liberalization and the readmission
agreement, which Turkey continues to link to each other in a specific way.
The same applies to the general perception by the Turkish public of the system, which requires LSC
to devote resources for public diplomacy purposes, possibly through a systematic campaign directed
at target groups, including pro-active, public information sessions with businessmen and
advertisements in the media.
5. Other issues
12893/14 PR/lm 180
DG D 1 A
EN