Migrant Crisis 2015: EU Supports Turkey's Action Plan
The migrant crisis has been a concern for many European countries for more than a year ever since the Syrian war struggle came about, including other hostile countries where thousands of refugees seek to be taken in by European countries like Turkey. The Brussels conference of the EU states recently came up with a plan to make the situation in Turkey easier.
Aid is coming to Turkey, according to a report from BBC News. Since more than 600,000 migrants reached out for help going to Turkey, the EU states in their recent Brussels conference revealed that they will be giving out a financial and practical strategy so migrants can easily settle down.
European officials have agreed to quicken visa liberalization limited to certain criterias for those who wish to visit the EU's borderless Schengen area. Turkey would have to comply first to be able to receive the help that also includes "re-energized" talks over Turkey in joining the EU.
The financial request of Turkey amounting to €3 billion (£2.2 billion, $3.4 billion) is also being considered by the EU, according to German Chancellor Angela Merkel per BBC News. Merkel also admitted the importance of Turkey in the current migrant situation.
"Without a doubt Turkey plays a key role," Merkel said as quoted by the Irish Independent. "Most war refugees that come to Europe travel via Turkey. We won't be able to order and stem the refugee movement without working together with Turkey."
Merkel is also reported to travel to Turkey this weekend and insisted that "There is still a huge amount to do," Merkel said as quoted by BBC News. "But you cannot say that we've achieved nothing."
Meanwhile Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu revealed that Ankara would not agree to the drafted plans unless the visa issue is resolved.
"We will not sign the readmission agreement before steps are taken on the Schengen visa and thus a visa liberalisation is secured for Turkish citizens," he said per Irish Independent.
However, despite Turkey's immediate request, French President Francois Hollande insists that there would have to be some conditions, saying, "Just because we want Turkey to help us by keeping back refugees, we mustn't ease restrictions unconditionally... So there will be a proposal that will set many conditions."
Although still not finalized, Taoiseach Enda Kenny assures that the issue will be pursued. "Obviously, this has implications for some other countries and that will be a source of discussion," Kenny said during the Brussels summit. He added that there were "very significant numbers of people, refugees, in Turkey."
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