The European Union on Monday signed an agreement with Turkey that clears the way for the lifting of visa restrictions. The deal will also allow EU governments to send back illegal immigrants crossing into Europe from Turkey, which lies on a major route for migration into Europe from Africa and the Middle East. Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying. Ebru Turhan an expert in Istanbul tells RFI that the agreement marks important headway in what is an often difficult relationship.