EU-Turkey agreement on refugees

31.8.2016

Question for written answer E-006476-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D)

The situation regarding the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees is becoming unpredictable. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that the EU is not complying with the agreement on stopping the flow of refugees and is failing to implement essential aspects of the agreement, such as: providing EUR 3 billion in financial assistance and implementing a plan for visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens. Also worrying is the fact that Turkey is undergoing political turmoil, and President Erdoğan is turning a new page in his cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This situation is of concern to all Europeans, as the collapse of the agreement on refugee flows from Turkey means that there is a significant possibility that refugee flows from Turkey will increase again. What steps will the Commission take to resolve this problem with Turkey?