Ankara: The visa issue between Trkiye and the EU is increasingly heating up. For some time now, Turkish citizens' discontent has been growing to the extent that recently some of them staged protests in front of Italian diplomatic offices in Trkiye demanding their right to study in Italy. Indeed, as the new academic year started months ago, students who won scholarships or have been regularly enrolled in Italian universities are still waiting for their visas to be issued, sparking a wave of general frustration over the current status quo. According to Anadolu Agency, the situation has highlighted broader concerns about visa liberalization for Turkish citizens to the Schengen area, a topic that has been on European agendas for a long time. The dialogue on visa liberalization began in 2013, aimed at fostering a 'positive agenda' with Trkiye, but has remained a pending issue despite being part of the 2016 "Refugees agreement" to manage migration flows. The EU often praises Trkiye's role in addressing regional ch allenges but has yet to fulfill its promises regarding visas. The complexity of European promises is evident as efforts to ease visa procedures have instead led to increased constraints for Turkish citizens. This situation is compounded by the international challenge of irregular migration, prompting European countries to adopt stricter border controls. In Trkiye, there has been a significant increase in demand for studying abroad, with Italy being a popular choice. Italian consular offices are experiencing pressure due to the high number of visa applications, including those for tourism. While student visas are considered national visas, other visas fall under the Schengen agreement, which requires assurances about the applicants not posing a migration risk to Europe. Italy and Trkiye maintain a friendly and strategic partnership, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharing a positive rapport. The two countries enjoy strong diplomatic, economic, and cultur al ties, underscoring the mutual interest in facilitating exchanges and fostering closer connections. The current visa regime risks undermining the spirit of trust and solidarity with the EU. European governments recognize the importance of students for future relations with Trkiye, and there is hope for a more effective system to handle visa requests. While national-level improvements are possible, European visa liberalization is essential to fulfilling commitments to Trkiye and addressing the feelings of marginalization among Turkish youth. The EU's approach towards other third countries has been more liberalized compared to Trkiye, an EU candidate country. This disparity contradicts the principle of reciprocity, leaving Turkish citizens in a perpetual waiting state. A liberalized visa regime could enhance the synergy between Trkiye and the EU, reducing potential tensions that might escalate into a political crisis. A fair and committed approach is crucial for maintaining a win-win relationship.