Erdogan starts dispute over migrant deal

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused on 25 July 2016 the European Union of not paying its way under the deal the two sides signed to send Syrian refugees back across the Aegean sea.

The agreement was signed in March 2016 in which Turkey agreed to take Syrian migrants landing on Greek islands in exchange for political and financial incentives. This included billions of euros in aid and progress regarding Turkey's EU accession process, included visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

However, as relevant political events unfolded in Turkey since then, the agreement was seen as being in danger of collapsing. These episodes included the resignation of a prime minister, a crackdown on media and other fundamental freedoms, changes in the country's judicial system, attempts by Mr Erdogan to concentrate more power and a failed coup attempt.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned in a German newspaper on the 1 August 2016 that Ankara would back out of the agreement to stem the flow of irregular migrants to the EU if Brussels failed to deliver visa-free travel for its citizens by October 2016. This warning was repeated in an interview with Bild on the 15 August 2016.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 26.07.16: Pay up on migrant deal, Turkey tells EU https://euobserver.com/migration/134487

Washington Post, 26.07.16: With Turkey in turmoil, EU migrant deal back under fire https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/with-turkey-in-turmoil-eu-migrant-deal-back-under-fire/2016/07/26/68b5016e-52e7-11e6-b652-315ae5d4d4dd_story.html

TRT World, 26.07.16: Turkey abides by refugee deal with EU, says Erdogan http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-abides-by-refugee-deal-with-eu-says-erdogan-151278

Deutsche Welle, 26.07.16: Is Erdogan's claim of EU refugee aid dishonesty justified? http://dw.com/p/1JWDR

Politico, 26.07.16: Erdoğan calls on EU to deliver cash, visa-free travel http://www.politico.eu/article/recep-tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-eu-to-deliver-cash-visa-free-travel-migration-deal-turkey/

Politico, 26.07.16: Commission denies Erdoğan claim that EU isn’t paying migration bill http://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-denies-recep-tayyiperdogan-claim-that-eu-isnt-paying-migration-bill-turkey/

EurActiv, 28.07.16: Turkish coup ‘increases’ migration flows to Greece http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/turkish-coup-causes-marginal-increase-of-migration-flows-to-greece/

Politico, 29.07.16: Johannes Hahn: It is ‘legitimate’ to question Turkey’s accession to the EU http://www.politico.eu/article/johannes-hahn-it-is-legitimate-to-question-turkeys-accession-to-the-eu-recep-tayyip-erdogan-migration/

EurActiv, 01.08.16: Turkey to back out of EU migrant deal if no visa-free travel http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/turkey-to-back-out-of-eu-migrant-deal-if-no-visa-free-travel/

Deutsche Welle, 31.07.16: Turkey out of migrant deal if EU fails on visa-free travel: Cavusoglu http://dw.com/p/1JZOW

Euro|Topics: Debates, August 2016: EU letting itself be blackmailed by Turkey? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/163630/eu-letting-itself-be-blackmailed-by-turkey

Hürriyet Daily News, 02.08.16: Turkey, Europe in fresh migrant deal, visa row http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-europe-in-fresh-migrant-deal-visa-row.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102406&NewsCatID=351

BBC News, 02.08.16: Migrant crisis: Germany warns Turkey against 'blackmailing EU' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36949967

ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 17 - 18 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-17-18-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: Turkey’s Erdogan declares state of emergency after coup bid http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkeys-erdogan-declares-state-of-emergency-after-coup-bid/

Deutsche Welle, 03.08.16: EU-Turkey refugee deal hinges on Greece http://dw.com/p/1JbCW

EUObserver, 01.08.16: EU won't budge on Turkey visa demands https://euobserver.com/migration/134548

Politico, 03.08.16: Greek minister: EU needs backup plan on Turkey migration deal http://www.politico.eu/article/greek-minister-eu-needs-backup-plan-on-turkey-migration-deal-ioannis-mouzalas-ioannis-mouzalas/

EurActiv, 04.08.16: Greece says it never asked for a ‘Plan B’ in EU-Turkey refugee deal http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/greece-says-it-never-asked-for-a-plan-b-in-eu-turkey-refugee-deal/

EurActiv, 08.08.16: Poll: Majority of Germans want to end Ankara’s EU hopes http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/poll-majority-of-germans-want-to-end-ankaras-eu-hopes-and-migration-deal/

Hürriyet Daily News, 08.08.16: EU migrant deal not possible if Turkey's demands not met: Erdoğan http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-migrant-deal-not-possible-if-turkeys-demands-not-met-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102589&NewsCatID=510

Sputnik International, 08.08.16: Austria to Bloc Turkey's EU Accession as Tension Builds Over Migrant Deal http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160808/1044048016/austria-block-turkey-eu-accession.html

Kathimerini, 08.08.16: Top European officials warn of potential consequences of migrant deal with Turkey failing http://www.ekathimerini.com/211086/article/ekathimerini/news/top-european-officials-warn-of-potential-consequences-of-migrant-deal-with-turkey-failing

Deutsche Welle, 09.08.16: Germany's Steinmeier says no visa talks until Turkey meets criteria http://dw.com/p/1JeSE

Spiegel Online International, 05.08.16: Refugee Deal at Risk: Europe Takes a Soft Approach on Erdogan http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/angela-merkel-takes-soft-approach-on-erdogan-after-coup-a-1106345.html

Politico, 12.08.16: Turkey’s man in Brussels: Don’t give up on us http://www.politico.eu/article/turkeys-man-in-brussels-dont-give-up-on-us-eu-migration-deal-putin-erdogan/

EurActiv, 16.08.16: Give us EU visa freedom in October or abandon migrant deal, Turkey says http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/give-us-eu-visa-freedom-in-october-or-abandon-migrant-deal-turkey-says/

Hürriyet Daily News, 16.08.16: Austria says EU does not need Turkey to cope with migrants http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/austria-says-eu-does-not-need-turkey-to-cope-with-migrants-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102893&NewsCatID=351

EurActiv, 22.08.16: [Opinion]: EU and Turkey: Time to act http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/opinion/eu-and-turkey-time-to-act/

---