Why the EU’s refugee relocation policy is a flop / EU urges Turkey to do more, amid fresh talk of mini-Schengen

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Series Details 06.01.16
Publication Date 06/01/2016
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The article discusses the EU plan agreed in 2015 whereby 160,000 migrants were supposed to be relocated within the EU from the countries in which they first arrived, predominantly Greece and Italy. In reality, by January 2016, only 272 had been relocated by this mechanism. The article analyses the reasons for this 'delivery deficit'.

The European Commission said on the 5 January 2016: 'The measures proposed by the Commission and adopted by the Council on 14 September and 22 September 2015 to relocate 160,000 people in clear need of international protection will allow for a significant, if partial, reduction of the pressure on the most affected Member States. It is of crucial importance that these measures will now be fully implemented. To allow these schemes to function effectively, Member States must swiftly respond to the call for national experts to support the work in the hotspots, notify the Commission of their reception capacities, and identify the national contact points who will coordinate relocations with Greece and Italy as well as national resettlement efforts'.

Media sources reported in January 2016 that Italy was blocking the implementation of the agreement reached between Turkey and the European Union. However, German chancellor Angela Merkel later stated she had obtaines a pledge from Turkey that it would do everything in its power to stem the flow of migrants coming to Europe.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.politico.eu/article/why-eu-refugee-relocation-policy-has-been-a-flop-frontex-easo-med/
Related Links
ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/
European Commission: Member States' Support to Emergency Relocation Mechanism, 05.01.16 http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/press-material/docs/state_of_play_-_relocation_en.pdf
ESO: Background information: Managing the refugee crisis: Immediate operational, budgetary and legal measures under the European Agenda on Migration http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-managing-the-refugee-crisis-immediate-operational-budgetary-and-legal-measures-under-the-european-agenda-on-migration/
ESO: Background information: State of Play: Measures to Address the Refugee Crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-of-play-measures-to-address-the-refugee-crisis/
EUObserver, 11.01.16: EU urges Turkey to do more, amid fresh talk of mini-Schengen https://euobserver.com/migration/131781
ESO: Background information: ‘Like-minded countries’ hold mini-summit with Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/like-minded-countries-hold-mini-summit-with-turkey/
Politico, 11.01.16: Turkey to introduce work permits for Syrian refugees http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-to-introduce-work-permits-for-syrian-refugees-migration-reduce-illegal-migrants/
EurActiv, 15.01.16: EU-Turkey €3 billion migrant deal blocked by Italy http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/eu-turkey-eu3-billion-migrant-deal-blocked-italy-320993
EUObserver, 15.01.16: Italy in row with EU on €3bn Turkey fund https://euobserver.com/migration/131858
EUObserver, 22.01.16: Merkel and Turkish PM in show of support https://euobserver.com/foreign/131960
Politico, 22.01.16: Angela Merkel says Turkey ‘will do everything’ to cut migration http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-says-turkey-will-do-everything-to-cut-migration-davutoglu-refugees-asylum-schengen/

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