Turkey: Erdogan calls on EU to deliver on promises under migrant deal
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkey: Erdogan calls on EU to deliver on promises under migrant deal, 7 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768fff215.html [accessed 21 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 07, 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country will not implement a deal with the European Union on the return of migrants from Greece if the bloc does not fulfill its obligations toward Ankara.
Under an EU-Turkey deal struck in March, Ankara will take back all migrants who entered Greece illegally from March 20 unless they qualify for asylum.
For every Syrian deported, the EU will accept one Syrian refugee for resettlement. In return, the EU pledged to provide financial assistance, visa-free travel for Turkish nationals, and progress in EU membership negotiations.
Erdogan said on April 7 that "there have been promises but nothing has come for the moment."
He added that there are "precise conditions" under the accord and if the EU "does not take the steps it needs to take, if it does not fulfill its pledges, then Turkey won't implement this agreement."
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
