Migrant crisis: EU leaders meet with focus on Turkey

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 15.10.15
Publication Date 15/10/2015
Content Type

Many EU leaders concerned with the migration challenges facing European countries in the autumn of 2015 were convinced that without closer co-operation with Turkey, efforts to deal with the issue could not succeed. However it was clear that Turkey wanted plenty in return - more financial aid, visa liberalisation, and progress on its stalled application for EU membership.

Some in Europe were concerned that any deal with Turkey would prevent them criticising what they perceived as Turkey's poor human rights record and increasing authoritarian tendencies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The framework of a Joint Action Plan with Turkey on Migration was endorsed by EU Member States at the European Council, Brussels, 15-16 October 2015, although details were still being negotiated (see related url hyperlink).

Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said on the 16 October 2015 that the agreement was still a draft. In addition, Turkish President Erdogan made severe criticisms of Europe's reaction to the crisis.

In addition, to negotiations at an EU-Turkey level, German Chancellor Merkel visited Ankara on 18 October 2015 to discuss stopping the movement of refugees to Europe. This was also considered sensitive and controversial as Turkey was in the middle of a fraught election campaign and following the terrorism bombing in Ankara the previous week.

Chancellor Merkel said at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Germany was ready to accelerate Turkey's EU accession process, in exchange for Turkish help in stemming the flow of refugees to Europe.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34535933
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Merkel rules out freeze on refugee intake. Merkel against Turkey joining the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-rules-out-freeze-on-refugee-intake-merkel-against-turkey-joining-the-eu/
ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/
ESO: Background information: Can the EU Do Business With Erdoğan? http://www.europeansources.info/record/judy-asks-can-the-eu-do-business-with-erdogan/
ESO: Background information: Erdoğan’s Delicate Visit to Brussels / Europe needs Recep Tayyip ​​Erdoğan – but he will play hard-to-get / Turkey's Erdogan mocks EU over refugees during Brussels trip http://www.europeansources.info/record/erdogans-delicate-visit-to-brussels-europe-needs-recep-tayyip-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8berdogan-but-he-will-play-hard-to-get-turkeys-erdogan-mocks-eu-over-refugees-during-brussels-trip/
Deutsche Welle, 14.10.15: EU to discuss classifying Turkey as 'safe' country of origin http://dw.com/p/1GoZE
ESO: Background information: Turkey reels from twin blasts at Ankara peace demo http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-reels-from-twin-blasts-at-ankara-peace-demo/
ESO: Background information: Meeting: European Council, 15-16 October 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-european-council-15-16-october-2015/
EurActiv, 15.10.15: Cyprus surrenders its Turkey veto to Greece http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/cyprus-surrenders-its-turkey-veto-greece-318502
EurActiv, 14.10.15: EU courts Turkey on migration crisis ahead of summit http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/eu-courts-turkey-migration-crisis-ahead-summit-318476
Deutsche Welle, 15.10.15: Merkel's disputed visit to Turkey is a political minefield http://dw.com/p/1GolR
EurActiv, 16.10.15: Turkey’s Erdogan calls the shots at EU summit http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/turkeys-erdogan-calls-shots-eu-summit-318576
Politico, 16.10.15: EU agrees to new migration measures http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-strikes-tentative-refugee-deal-turkey-migration-refugees-accession/
Deutsche Welle, 16.10.15: Juncker: EU and Turkey agree on joint plan on refugees http://dw.com/p/1Gp7G
BBC News, 16.10.15: Migrant crisis: EU backs Turkey action plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34546482
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 16.10.15: EU and Turkey agree on refugee action plan http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER171594-EU-and-Turkey-agree-on-refugee-action-plan
Today's Zaman, 16.10.15: FM: EU’s migrant action plan with Turkey yet to take shape http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_fm-eus-migrant-action-plan-with-turkey-yet-to-take-shape_401722.html
BBC News, 16.10.15: Migrant crisis: Turkey says no deal done on EU action plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34553458
Politico, 16.10.15: How Merkel and Europe came to embrace Erdoğan http://www.politico.eu/article/realpolitik-on-refugees-migrants-crisis-takes-merkel-to-turkey/
Deutsche Welle, 18.10.15: Germany ready to support Turkey's EU accession process, says Merkel http://dw.com/p/1Gq5F
Today's Zaman, 18.10.15: Turkey’s Erdoğan says has asked European allies for help on EU bid http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_turkeys-erdogan-says-has-asked-european-allies-for-help-on-eu-bid_401863.html
EurActiv, 19.10.15: Merkel says ready to support Turkey EU accession process http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/merkel-says-ready-support-turkey-eu-accession-process-318615
The Observer, 18.10.15: [Editorial]: The Observer view on the EU’s wrong-headed wooing of Turkey http://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2015/oct/18/european-union-wooing-turkey-president-recep-erdogan
Politico, 18.10.15: Turkey gets EU concessions in return for refugee help http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-eu-concessions-refugee-help-migration-crisis-merkel-erdogan-germany/
EUObserver,19.10.15: Merkel pushes for Turkey EU membership talks https://euobserver.com/enlargement/130735
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 19.10.15: Merkel makes concessions to Turkey http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER171672-Merkel-makes-concessions-to-Turkey
EurActiv, 19.10.15: [Opinion]: Is Europe's 'refugee deal' giving in to blackmail by Turkey? http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/europes-refugee-deal-giving-blackmail-turkey-318630
Deutsche Welle, 19.10.15: Domestic politics greatest concern of Erdogan and Merkel http://dw.com/p/1GqIN
EurActiv, 20.10.15: In school on Syria border, Turkey's challenges as EU gatekeeper are clear http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/school-syria-border-turkeys-challenges-eu-gatekeeper-are-clear-318623
EUObserver, 20.10.15: Cyprus to block restart of Turkey-EU talks https://euobserver.com/political/130758

Subject Categories ,
Countries / Regions ,