From Blame Game to Cooperation: EU-Turkey Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.Summary
Turkey has generously opened its borders to some two million refugees fleeing the war in Syria. But most Syrians in Turkey live in limbo, some in dire conditions, and many have sought refuge in the EU simply to subsist to survive. Preventing an uncontrolled flow of refugees to the EU requires addressing their destitute state and providing them with the possibility to flourish—a responsibility that both the EU and Turkey have avoided until now. At the same time, even with increased international funding, the refugee challenge may be beyond Turkey’s capacity. The EU’s recent response is a positive step but is unlikely to suffice in preventing further tragedies. The EU must adopt a genuine policy on the matter, taking into account the two dimensions of Turkey’s reality as both a host and transit country for refugees.

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