Introduction to my report on: Migrant issues in EU-Turkey relations

In relation to the previous issues, another topic we will deal with concerns migration and how it affects the EU-Turkey relations. More specifically, we will deal with: The world seen from Turkey: a general overview; Syrian areas under Isis control; Millions of people moving to other places; The question: is it useful to build new walls? Europe and the refugee crisis; From Turkey to Germany; The planning of a new European agenda to manage the migrant issue; The EU-Turkey Agreement My name is Barbara Furlan and I have focused on migration and the new walls in Europe. I have analysed various official sources to find the different points of view and the decision of the European Commission. These articles can be found at the links indicated in the slides.

The world seen from Turkey an overview This slide shows Turkey in relationship to the rest of the world: Purple indicates Turkey and the friendly states that support Turkey. Orange indicates Turkey’s main commercial partners, in particular the three major points of Germany, Russia and China. The purple line borders the theoretic area of influence that Turkey wants to achieve, while the green line marks the Muslim world.

Syrian area under Isis control: Turkish border I would like to emphasise how the Turkish border is in strict contact with Syria, and the area under Isis control shown in red on the map.

A European Summit was held to discuss how to stop the migrant flow to Europe, which led to a new agenda to manage the crisis.

Millions of people moving to other places Conflict, persecution and poverty are creating more refugees than the world has seen in decades. The areas in red show where they are fleeing from. yellow Pink where they are now and yellow where they hope to go.

European Commission - Press release

MIGRATION: priority actions implemented in the European agenda Implementing the European Agenda on Migration: Progress on Priority Actions Brussels, 10 February Europe is planning a new agenda to manage the migration crisis, because it is the most severe refugee crisis since the Second World War. This crisis is due to the war in Syria. The European agenda proposes: Tripling the presence on the sea A new system of emergency solidarity to relocate asylum seekers Mobilization of the European budget to address the refugee crisis A new coordination and cooperation framework for the Western Balkans A new partnership with Turkey A new European border and coast Guard

ENSURING STRONG BORDERS To ensure strong borders Europe insists on registering the migrants, strengthening the borders and increasing reception capacity. Migrants must register in the first country they enter. If external borders are secure Europe can keep the Schengen system of free border controls.

Turkey outlines ‘one for one’ plan to tackle the Syrian refugee crisis Link 07/03/2016http:// At the Brussels Summit on EU-Turkey they discussed the proposal launched by Ankara, for an extra 3 billion euros to deal with the crisis. European officials are studying if a "one for one" resettlement programme is legally and logistically possible. Turkey should receive people who fail to qualify for asylum in Europe, but human rights groups report that this may conflict with the Geneva Convention.

Turkey and EU agree outline of 'one in, one out' deal over Syrian refugee crisis 08/03/ Angela Merkel describes the Turkish proposal as “a step forward”. For European leaders it was a surprise to achieve a draft agreement with Ankara to return thousands of refugees to Turkey, as only Merkel and the Dutch Prime Minister had agreed the Turkish proposals. After this summit the head of the European Council Donald Tusk declared that “the days of irregular migration to Europe would be over”. Merkel wanted to give a strong signal, claiming to support doubling aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey. The goal is to save refugees, discourage who exploits the situation, and find new Turkey- EU relations. The NATO Secretary General told the BBC that the idea is to get more control at borders to eliminate illegal trafficking of humans.

Migrant crisis: EU-Turkey deal on the rocks 15/03/16 There are questions about how Ankara is accused of "blackmailing" Brussels for money from France and the Czech Republic. Cyprus announced it would veto the European plan because it is "illegal." France and the Czech Republic accuse Turkey of blackmailing further concessions from Europe. The United Nations warn: mass deportations are illegal under the Geneva Convention, while Turkey does not respect the international legal requirements to be considered a "safe country". Tusk, the European Council President, admits that the "key question of legality" remained to be resolved. Moreover the Turkey issue must be accepted equally by all 28 EU Member States. The Czech President accuses Turkey of exploiting the weakness of Europe in the wake of the worst crisis since the second world war European migration.

From Turkey to Germany

Angela Merkel's historic error on immigration Link on-immigration.html 15/03/2016http:// on-immigration.html Only a year ago Angela Merkel was unquestionably the most powerful politician in Europe, even beyond the borders of Germany. However, today her decision to welcome migrants is leading to the breakup of the European project and pushing Britain out of the Union. With this decision she is risking her reputation and position. She is encouraging a movement of people in Europe that Germany alone cannot absorb, and she insists that other Member States accept the immigrants.

Where there's a wall, there's no way: refugee crisis needs a better idea Link 25/01/2016http:// The Hungarian Prime Minister wants to fence off Greece from Europe. Some analysts say that this is impractical and would not reduce the flow of people, even if it is the migratory crisis that brought Greece to the wall. But the walls cannot stop refugee flows in Europe, they would find other ways through Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia (says Amnesty International). There is a different solution: resettlement of refugees directly from Turkey, but you have to convince Turkey to take back asylum seekers. But to totally stop their passage is metaphorically like "banging your head against the wall”.

Implementing the European Agenda on Migration: Commission reports on progress in Greece, Italy and the Western Balkans Brussels, 10 February The European Commission has set out the priority actions on the agenda to be implemented immediately. These actions are: Permanent exchange of information and effective cooperation Limiting secondary movements Increasing reception capacity Managing the migration flows together Border management Tackling smuggling and trafficking

Implementing the Common European Asylum System: Commission acts on 9 infringement proceedings Brussels, 10 February The European Commision issued opinions in 9 infringement cases against Germany, Estonia, Slovenia, Greece, France, Italy and Latvia. They are accused with the violation of the: Asylum Procedures Directive Reception Condition Directive Long Term Residents Directive

…and the issue continues… Thanks for your attention! Bye!