Press Release: Commission presents Recommendation for a Voluntary Humanitarian Admission Scheme with Turkey for refugees from Syria

The European Commission presented on 15 December 2015 a Recommendation regarding a voluntary humanitarian admission scheme to create a system of solidarity and responsibility sharing with Turkey for the protection of persons displaced by the conflict in Syria to Turkey.

The scheme should be flexible to take into account the sustainable reduction of numbers of persons irregularly crossing the border from Turkey into the European Union as a result of Turkey's actions.

Member States were invited to participate in the scheme on a voluntary basis taking into account their capacities. This scheme was expected to only apply to persons who had been registered by Turkish authorities before the EU-Turkey meeting on 29 November 2015.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 15.12.15: EU weighs taking refugees directly from Turkey https://euobserver.com/migration/131531

ESO: Background information: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 20 July 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/justice-and-home-affairs-council-20-july-2015/

ESO: Background Information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 29 November 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-29-november-2015/

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