| Author (Corporate) | BBC |
|---|---|
| Series Title | BBC News |
| Series Details | 15.10.15 |
| Publication Date | 15/10/2015 |
| Content Type | News |
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Many EU leaders concerned with the migration challenges facing European countries in the autumn of 2015 were convinced that without closer co-operation with Turkey, efforts to deal with the issue could not succeed. However it was clear that Turkey wanted plenty in return - more financial aid, visa liberalisation, and progress on its stalled application for EU membership. Some in Europe were concerned that any deal with Turkey would prevent them criticising what they perceived as Turkey's poor human rights record and increasing authoritarian tendencies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The framework of a Joint Action Plan with Turkey on Migration was endorsed by EU Member States at the European Council, Brussels, 15-16 October 2015, although details were still being negotiated (see related url hyperlink). Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said on the 16 October 2015 that the agreement was still a draft. In addition, Turkish President Erdogan made severe criticisms of Europe's reaction to the crisis. In addition, to negotiations at an EU-Turkey level, German Chancellor Merkel visited Ankara on 18 October 2015 to discuss stopping the movement of refugees to Europe. This was also considered sensitive and controversial as Turkey was in the middle of a fraught election campaign and following the terrorism bombing in Ankara the previous week. Chancellor Merkel said at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Germany was ready to accelerate Turkey's EU accession process, in exchange for Turkish help in stemming the flow of refugees to Europe. |
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| Source Link | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34535933 |
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| Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs, Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Europe, Turkey |
