Bargaining bodies: The EU’s deal with Turkey has sacrificed Europe’s principles to appease domestic politics

The EU and Turkey agreed on the 7 March 2016 on the broad elements of a deal to help stem the flow of people across the Turkish border into the EU. Assessing the content of the agreement, Rebecca Bryant writes that the EU is on the brink of making a costly mistake for the sake of domestic expediency. She argues that rather than shutting down migrant pathways, the EU should provide safe routes to Europe while obligating members to fulfil increased resettlement obligations.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-7-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: UNHCR expresses concern over EU-Turkey plan / UNHCR's reaction to Statement of the EU Heads of State and Government of Turkey, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/unhcr-expresses-concern-over-eu-turkey-plan-unhcrs-reaction-to-statement-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-and-government-of-turkey-7-march-2016/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Spiegel Online International, 11.03.16: [Opinion]: Dangerous Liaisons http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/turkish-president-erdogan-emerges-as-victor-in-eu-crisis-a-1081809.html

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 11.03.16: Made in Berlin: Multiple Moral Bankruptcy on Refugees http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=63005

Deutsche Welle, 13.03.16: 'Turkey's suggestion is fair': Southeast Europe expert http://dw.com/p/1ICOJ

VoxEurop, 13.03.16: A 'perverse, mad, legally questionable and morally unacceptable' agreement http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/content/press-review/5061929-perverse-mad-legally-questionable-and-morally-unacceptable-agreement

EurActiv, 16.03.16: [Opinion]: EU-Turkey deal: Decisive or divisive? http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/opinion/eu-turkey-deal-decisive-or-divisive/

SETA: Opinion, 12.03.16: Turkey's Plan on the Refugee Deal Leaves EU Under Stress http://setav.org/en/turkeys-plan-on-the-refugee-deal-leaves-eu-under-stress/opinion/36984

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