A festering symptom of the Syria crisis has forced European leaders to come together and look for a solution, which has been eluding the bloc for years now. Tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from war-torn Syria, have been crossing the borders of Europe to seek shelter and asylum. Hundreds have perished in perilous sea journeys across the Mediterranean, precipitating a crisis hitherto rivalled only by the Second World War. Turkey, which borders Syria but is not part of the European Union, is taking care of two million refugees — providing them housing and shelter.
European Union leaders have gathered in Brussels for a summit in which Turkey is in the spotlight. Refugees in Turkey have been losing patience and trying to reach Europe that they believe offers job prospects and the promise of a better life.
Unable to agree on a solution to the crisis, European leaders are now pressuring Turkey to stem the flow of refugees so that EU nations’ resources are not stretched in dealing with thousands of asylum seekers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been praised for her leadership during the crisis, said that Europe cannot find a solution without the help of Turkey.
Turkey has been a European Union membership candidate for years now, and its candidacy has been debated with a reluctant Europe delaying Ankara’s bid for one reason or the other. Now, it is time for Turkey to put forward its demands with the bloc to its north. Ankara has demanded that the European Union liberalise visa rules. But in signs that the bloc is not comfortable with the Turkish demand, French president Francois Hollande said yesterday that just because Europe wants Turkey’s help over the refugee crisis, it should not be understood that there would be unconditional visa liberalisation.
The European Commission is ready to give Turkey ¤3bn in return for accepting a plan that would reduce the flow of refugees from Turkey into Europe. But a guarantee from Ankara is not forthcoming that has EU leaders worried.
With the refugee problem getting more complicated, the idea of guarding EU’s external borders with help from all bloc nations has been mooted. German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday said that it would be unfair to ask countries who have been taking the burden of refugees to also guard EU’s external borders. Merkel’s proposal is laudable and comes in the wake of EU nations not sounding one on the crisis.
EU’s decision to reach out to Turkey to stop the flow of refugees looks a step in the right direction. This comes close to trying to deal with a problem close to its origin if not exactly at its source. However, it would be unfair of Europe if it doesn’t take into consideration at least some of Turkey’s demands.
A festering symptom of the Syria crisis has forced European leaders to come together and look for a solution, which has been eluding the bloc for years now. Tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from war-torn Syria, have been crossing the borders of Europe to seek shelter and asylum. Hundreds have perished in perilous sea journeys across the Mediterranean, precipitating a crisis hitherto rivalled only by the Second World War. Turkey, which borders Syria but is not part of the European Union, is taking care of two million refugees — providing them housing and shelter.
European Union leaders have gathered in Brussels for a summit in which Turkey is in the spotlight. Refugees in Turkey have been losing patience and trying to reach Europe that they believe offers job prospects and the promise of a better life.
Unable to agree on a solution to the crisis, European leaders are now pressuring Turkey to stem the flow of refugees so that EU nations’ resources are not stretched in dealing with thousands of asylum seekers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been praised for her leadership during the crisis, said that Europe cannot find a solution without the help of Turkey.
Turkey has been a European Union membership candidate for years now, and its candidacy has been debated with a reluctant Europe delaying Ankara’s bid for one reason or the other. Now, it is time for Turkey to put forward its demands with the bloc to its north. Ankara has demanded that the European Union liberalise visa rules. But in signs that the bloc is not comfortable with the Turkish demand, French president Francois Hollande said yesterday that just because Europe wants Turkey’s help over the refugee crisis, it should not be understood that there would be unconditional visa liberalisation.
The European Commission is ready to give Turkey ¤3bn in return for accepting a plan that would reduce the flow of refugees from Turkey into Europe. But a guarantee from Ankara is not forthcoming that has EU leaders worried.
With the refugee problem getting more complicated, the idea of guarding EU’s external borders with help from all bloc nations has been mooted. German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday said that it would be unfair to ask countries who have been taking the burden of refugees to also guard EU’s external borders. Merkel’s proposal is laudable and comes in the wake of EU nations not sounding one on the crisis.
EU’s decision to reach out to Turkey to stop the flow of refugees looks a step in the right direction. This comes close to trying to deal with a problem close to its origin if not exactly at its source. However, it would be unfair of Europe if it doesn’t take into consideration at least some of Turkey’s demands.
