The European Commission on Wednesday reacted to comments by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who earlier this week suggested that Ankara will cancel a migrant readmission agreement with the European Union should the bloc fail to deliver on its promise of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.



Responding to a journalist’s question during a briefing in Brussels on Wednesday, Natasha Bertaud, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission, said that the two sides are still committed to implementing the so-called “joint statement,” adding that the enforcement of the EU-Turkey deal remains a condition for visa liberalization.



In an interview with broadcaster TGRT Haber on Monday, Cavusoglu said: “We will not wait on the EU door. The readmission agreement and visa-free deal will be put into effect at the same time.”



Analysts said that Cavusoglu’s comments referred to a 2014 deal between the EU and Turkey which Ankara has failed to implement.