With migrants as a bargaining chip, Turkey just raised its price to the European Union
Ankara wants 6 billion euros to address the humanitarian crisis and end “illegal immigration". Illegal migrants will be returned to Turkey, but for each returnee, the EU will have to accept a Syrian refugee. By June, Turks should be able to travel visa-free within the EU. Turkey’s application for EU membership should also be speeded up despite its threats to freedom of the press and human rights.
Brussels (AsiaNews) – The European Union (EU) and Turkey have agreed at a summit in Brussels to a broad plan to address the migration crisis along Turkey’s coast with Greece, but a final decision was delayed.
The agreement provides:
1) that all irregular migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey be returned to that country;
2) that the EU accept a Syrian refugee for each migrant sent back to Turkey,
3) that the EU give three billion euros to Turkey to help refugees in Turkey, on top of the three billion already requested (but not yet paid out by the EU).
Turkey also wants:
1) the speeding up of plans to allow Turks visa-free travel in Europe, with a view to lifting visa requirements by June 2016, and
2) the opening of new chapters in talks on EU membership for Turkey.
Speaking at a news conference after the summit, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that it was important to see the agreement on refugees as a single package that includes greater integration of his country into the EU.
In the recent past, the leaders of the 28-member EU have been at each other’s throat over migrants wading their way onto Greek shores in order to reach northern Europe.
The arrival of more than a million people in 2015 alone has created difficulties in many transit countries (Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Austria), with some refusing to take a share (Poland, Hungary, Slovak, United Kingdom), with sections of the population refusing in others (Germany, Italy, France, Sweden).
This flow threatens the integrity of the open border policy within the EU established by the Schengen Treaty, which allows the free movement of people and goods among EU member nations.
Talks to finalise the EU-Turkey deal are expected at an EU meeting scheduled for 17-18 March.
European Council President Donald Tusk said leaders had made a "breakthrough" to end illegal immigration to Europe, but many analysts see some flaws in the plan.
For example, many of the migrants arriving in Greece come war zones (Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.). How can they be sent back in violation of international law?
Another issue is Turkey. Will it live up to the agreement? In recent months, it has become clear that Turkish government officials, police and organisations have been involved in human trafficking to Greece.
Finally, for some diplomats, linking a resolution of the migrant crisis to Turkey’s EU aspirations and financial requests is tantamount to blackmail.
In a statement after the Brussel summit, Davutoglu stressed that the 6 billion euros would not go to the Turkish government. “Every penny will be spent for Syrian refugees,” he said. “Not even a single euro will be spent for Turkish citizens.” Currently, Turkey is host to 2.7 million Syrian refugees.
Turkey’s EU membership is however another issue altogether. In the past, Ankara’s application ran up against the EU’s 72 criteria for membership, most notably in terms of improved minority rights, status of women, human rights, and freedom of the press.
The latter is especially important. Just a few days ago, Turkish daily Zaman was shut down on government orders, and its editor-in-chief forced to resign. The paper had become highly critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime.
In view of the situation, “Will the EU let itself be humiliated over media freedom in Turkey?” said Christophe Deloire, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders, in a statement after the summit.
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