Turkey and EU agree outline of new migrant deal

Negotiations in Brussels broke up after more than 12 hours of discussions without a final agreement.

However the EU have agreed in principle to a Turkish proposal to return all migrants who make it across the Aegean to Greece could provide the basis of a settlement that would finally close the refugee trail through the Balkans.

European Council President Donald Tusk said all irregular migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey would be returned.

Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu

In return for taking back the refugees, Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu wants the EU to resettle an equal number of Syrian refugees direct from camps in the country – although Britain would not be affected as it is outside the Schengen area.

He also called conditions on the deal including a doubling of EU aid – to more than €4 billion – to support the more than 2.5 million refugees in Turkey as well as faster progress on easing visa restrictions on Turkish nationals and expedited talks on Turkey’s application for EU membership.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It has been a long and difficult evening but I think we do have the basis for a breakthrough which is the possibility that in future, all migrants who arrive in Greece will be returned to Turkey.

“That would, if implemented, break the business model of the people smugglers and end the link between getting in a boat and getting settlement in Europe.

“That is something that I have been arguing for for a year and I think this is significant, but only if it is fully implemented and that’s what needs to happen next.”
European Council president Donald Tusk described the talks as the “most promising moment” in the effort to find a way of deterring migrants – many fleeing the conflict in Syria – making the perilous sea crossing to Europe.

“All of us are aware that in fact we have a breakthrough now. The new proposal of our Turkish friend is a real chance to make progress in all aspects of our joint venture,” he said.