Second report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement

The trend reported in the First Report on the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement continues: the EU-Turkey Statement has started to deliver results in spite of many challenges.

The sharp decrease in the number of irregular migrants and asylum seekers crossing from Turkey into Greece is proof of the Statement's effectiveness – and in particular, that the business model of smugglers can be broken. The clear message to migrants is that getting on a boat in Turkey, and endangering lives in the process, is not worth the risk given that there is a legal and safe pathway through resettlement. The First Report recorded the good progress made in operationalising the Statement and highlighted areas for urgent action notably in reinforcing the daily operation of the return and resettlement processes in full compliance with EU and international rules.

This Second Report sets out the considerable further progress made in implementing the EU-Turkey Statement since the First Report, and identifies the next steps required to consolidate this achievement so as to maintain the momentum. These are needed given that the context remains difficult and geopolitical risks continue to exist, while all aspects of the EU-Turkey Statement are not yet established on a firm footing.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Managing the Refugee Crisis: Commission reports on progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement http://www.europeansources.info/record/managing-the-refugee-crisis-commission-reports-on-progress-made-in-the-implementation-of-the-eu-turkey-statement/

---