EU-Turkey Deal

Definition

The EU-Turkey Deal, officially known as the EU-Turkey Statement, is an agreement made in March 2016 between the European Union and Turkey aimed at managing the flow of migrants and refugees into Europe. The deal was a response to the European migration crisis and involved Turkey taking back all irregular migrants who crossed into Greece, while the EU agreed to resettle Syrian refugees from Turkey and provide financial assistance to support Turkey's efforts in dealing with the refugee situation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The deal aimed to reduce the number of irregular migrants entering Europe by allowing Turkey to return those who crossed into Greece without authorization.
2. As part of the agreement, the EU promised to resettle one Syrian refugee from Turkey for each irregular migrant returned to Turkey, creating a direct connection between migration control and humanitarian assistance.
3. The EU also committed to providing €6 billion in financial aid to Turkey to help support the millions of Syrian refugees living there, which has been crucial for Turkey’s management of its refugee population.
4. The agreement faced criticism for its ethical implications, including concerns over human rights violations in Turkey and the treatment of migrants returned under this deal.
5. While the deal has succeeded in reducing the number of crossings from Turkey to Greece, it has also led to increasing tensions within the EU regarding member states' responsibilities towards asylum seekers.

Review Questions

• How did the EU-Turkey Deal address the challenges posed by the European migration crisis?
  • The EU-Turkey Deal directly tackled the migration crisis by establishing a framework for managing irregular migration flows into Europe. By requiring Turkey to take back all irregular migrants who entered Greece, the deal aimed to deter further crossings and reduce pressures on European countries facing high numbers of arrivals. Additionally, it included provisions for resettling Syrian refugees from Turkey to EU member states, thus balancing security measures with humanitarian efforts.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the EU-Turkey Deal in terms of its intended goals and outcomes since its implementation.
  • The effectiveness of the EU-Turkey Deal can be assessed by examining its impact on reducing irregular migration to Greece and the overall management of refugee flows. Following its implementation, there was a significant decline in crossings from Turkey to Greece, indicating that it achieved one of its primary goals. However, issues such as human rights concerns regarding returned migrants and ongoing political tensions have raised questions about its long-term viability and moral implications. The deal has also sparked debates within the EU regarding responsibility-sharing among member states.
• Critically analyze the implications of the EU-Turkey Deal on broader European policies regarding migration and asylum seekers.
  • The EU-Turkey Deal has had profound implications for European policies on migration and asylum, illustrating a shift towards externalizing border control responsibilities. This approach has encouraged other countries to negotiate similar agreements with the EU, potentially leading to a fragmented asylum system where rights and protections vary significantly based on geography. Critics argue that such policies may undermine international refugee protections by prioritizing security over humanitarian concerns. Furthermore, as member states grapple with their obligations towards asylum seekers, this deal has intensified divisions within Europe about how best to manage migration while respecting human rights.

Related terms

European Migration Crisis: A period beginning in 2015 characterized by a significant increase in the number of migrants and refugees entering Europe, primarily from conflict zones such as Syria and Afghanistan.

Refugee Resettlement: The process of transferring refugees from the country they initially fled to a third country that agrees to admit them, often as part of international protection efforts.

Schengen Area: A group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders, allowing for free movement of people.