The second paragraph above post does seem to align with my takeaways too.
I must say that Turkey is definitely a very active area for those from West, Central and South Asia to get into the Schengen area without legal authorization to do so. I have had various such persons confide in me in many Schengen countries about how they got into the EU and it includes some very fascinating stories, all of which match up so very closely with the stories of other people from the same villages/cities/states/countries/regions that the paths for such flows seem pretty steady and even reliable, even if somewhat expensive.
Originally Posted by
Christopher
No doubt. However, I seem to recall that Germany and France have both been pretty outspoken in opposition to Turkish entry to the EU in fairly recent times.
Which speaks to his mentioned point of "out-spokesman", as those mentioned countries -- amongst some others -- also want Greece to push the Cypriot issue and push it harder so as to try to keep Turkey out.
Originally Posted by Christopher
As I understand it, one of the EU countries most in favour of Turkish accession is the UK, partly no doubt because the UK wants "breadth" rather than "depth" in the EU.
I'm not so sure about that, when relevant UK policy makers still see a great deal of use with Turkey being the grunt force for an EU army.
Originally Posted by Christopher
Regarding visas for Turkish citizens, I am quite sure that some simplified arrangement could be entered into for at least some Turkish applicants (without being unfair to the others, even if visa requirements are retained) — it seems ridiculous (e.g.) that Turkish people applying for repeated business visas or even repeated touristic visas who have no history of immigration problems in the EU have to jump through quite so many hoops (and pay quite so much money) each time they need a new visa.
Perhaps, but most Schengen countries are pretty much a gamble when it comes to issuing Turkish citizens visas and I don't see that changing any time soon. Even with Turkey's changing economic and political status, things have become no less fickle than before -- rather I see more ridiculous outcomes than ever before. See
hfly's post about the contemporary situation. It's unlikely to improve given the popular sentiments sweeping ever larger parts of the EU.