EU hails migration deal with Turkey amid diplomatic tensions

The European Union (EU) heaped praise on the EU-Turkey deal in a factsheet published on Friday, a day ahead of its one-year anniversary, saying it remarkably reduced migratory flows from Turkey to Greece and the loss of life at the sea.


"Despite challenging circumstances, the first year of the EU-Turkey Statement has confirmed a steady delivery of tangible results," announced the factsheet.

According to the document, daily crossings from Turkey to Greece have plunged by a striking 97 percent.

And the number of deaths in the Aegean decreased from 1,145 in the year before the deal to 80 in the following year.

"One year later, that's around one million people who have not taken dangerous routes to get to the EU, and more than 1,000 who have not lost their lives trying," said the factsheet.

It noted that Turkey has followed up on its commitment to step up measures against people smuggling and has been cooperating closely on resettlement and return.

The factsheet also highlighted the EU's financial support, which amounts to 3 billion euros in 2016 and 2017 for Turkey to host Syrian refugees, stressing that the money goes directly to projects on the ground to address the needs of refugees and host communities.

"While continuous efforts need to be made by all sides and all EU member states, the EU-Turkey Statement has become an important element of the EU's comprehensive approach on migration," said the factsheet.

The factsheet came in the midst of diplomatic spats between Turkey and some EU member states, which squabbled over Turkish ministers wooing support from expatriates in Europe for constitutional reforms granting greater powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The EU, although voicing its grave concern over the reforms, called on Turkey early this week to refrain from using excessive statements and actions that would risk further exacerbating the situation.
  [globaltimes.cn/China]
18/3/17