Press Release: MEPs hail EU-Turkey deal but say human rights and freedoms must be respected

The European Parliament held a debate on 2 December 2015 with European Commission's vice-president Frans Timmermans and Nicolas Schmit from the presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding the agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ways to tackle the migration and refugee crisis.

While most of the MEPs said the agreement had been very timely, they also considered that any EU funding for Turkey should be thoroughly scrutinised, given the country's recent human rights and democracy record. Many of them also questioned the decision to restart EU accession talks with Turkey.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey votes - Brussels watches http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-votes-brussels-watches/

ESO: Background information: MEPs concerned about democracy and fundamental rights in Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-meps-concerned-about-democracy-and-fundamental-rights-in-turkey/

ESO: Background Information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 29 November 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-29-november-2015/

EUObserver, 09.12.15: Turkey fund: EU states want Commission to pay more https://euobserver.com/migration/131440

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