Press Release: Commission makes immediate proposal to implement EU-Turkey agreement: 54,000 places allocated for resettlement of Syrians from Turkey

Following the agreement between the European Council and Turkey, on 21 March 2016 the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend a Council Decision to relocate people in need for international protection from Italy and Greece. With this amendment, 54,000 places previously foreseen for relocations to be available for the purpose of resettling Syrians from Turkey to the European Union.

The proposal responded to the need to commit further places for resettlement from Turkey. This 1:1 scheme aimed to quickly replace irregular flows of migrants travelling in dangerous conditions across the Aegean by an orderly and legal resettlement process.

• Primary Source

European Council: Press Release, 18.03.16: EU-Turkey statement, 18 March 2016 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/18-eu-turkey-statement/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/963: Factsheet: EU-Turkey Agreement: Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-963_en.htm

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: Relocation and Resettlement: EU Member States urgently need to deliver http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-relocation-and-resettlement-eu-member-states-urgently-need-to-deliver/

---