Eu Turkey Agreement Refugees

The EU and Turkey Agreement on Refugees: A Comprehensive Overview

The European Union (EU) has been grappling with the issue of refugees for years. The Syrian conflict has led to a refugee crisis that has affected several countries, including Turkey. In March 2016, the EU and Turkey signed an agreement to address the refugee situation. This agreement marked one of the EU’s most significant steps towards tackling the migration crisis. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees.

Firstly, it is important to understand the context in which the agreement was signed. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has led to the displacement of millions of people. Turkey, which shares a border with Syria, has been the host country for over 3.5 million Syrian refugees. This has put a significant strain on Turkey’s resources and infrastructure. Turkey has been seeking support from the international community to deal with the refugee crisis.

In response, the EU and Turkey signed an agreement on 18 March 2016. The agreement aimed to address the issue of illegal migration and improve the conditions for refugees in Turkey. Under the agreement, Turkey agreed to take back all new migrants and refugees who crossed the Aegean Sea illegally. In return, the EU pledged to provide financial assistance to Turkey and grant Turkish citizens visa-free travel to the EU.

The EU also agreed to resettle Syrian refugees directly from Turkey. For every Syrian refugee sent back to Turkey from Greece, the EU would resettle one Syrian from Turkey in the EU. This was meant to discourage refugees from attempting to cross the sea to reach Greece. The EU also pledged to provide additional funding to help Turkey improve the conditions for refugees in the country.

The agreement came under criticism from several quarters, with human rights groups and activists citing concerns about the safety and welfare of refugees. Critics argued that Turkey was not a safe country for refugees and that the EU was outsourcing its responsibilities to Turkey. Others raised concerns about the legality of the agreement, particularly with regards to the principle of non-refoulement.

Nonetheless, the agreement remained in place, and Turkey has been receiving financial support from the EU. The EU has also been working with Turkey to improve the conditions for refugees in the country. The EU has provided funding for education, healthcare, and social services, among other things.

In conclusion, the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees was a significant step towards addressing the migration crisis. The agreement aimed to provide support for refugees in Turkey and discourage illegal migration through Greece. While the agreement was not without its critics, it has helped to improve conditions for refugees in Turkey and has provided some relief to the EU in dealing with the migration crisis.