The heads of state and government of the European Union (EU) agreed on Monday (07/03) to analyze until next week the proposals made by Ankara in support of the exchange to curb the influx of refugees to Europe. After the summit the EU and Turkey in Brussels, European leaders said they had reached the broad outlines for a possible deal.
"The days of irregular migration to Europe came to an end," said European Council President Donald Tusk, adding that EU leaders consider offering more money to Ankara in exchange for help contain the migratory flow. Tusk also confirmed that Turkey will get back migrants apprehended in Turkish waters.
After 12 hours meeting, European leaders also agreed to facilitate access to visas for Turkish citizens in Europe and accelerate the negotiations for Turkey joining the EU.
French President Francois Hollande said the summit brought "hope that the refugee issue can be resolved with solidarity in Europe and efficiency in cooperation with Turkey." Hollande stressed that Ankara is crucial to stop the arrival of migrants to Greece.
The Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, said they were "given qualitative steps" at the summit and stressed that an agreement between the bloc and Ankara can be closed at the meeting scheduled for 17 and 18 March.
Turkish proposals
At the beginning of the summit, Turkey presented a plan, which called for further 3 billion euros to the EU by 2018, in addition to the 3 billion already promised in November. Moreover, Ankara asked the visa exemption for Turkish citizens in the European Union and the acceleration of negotiations for entering the country in the block.
In return, Turkey undertakes to accept all refugees who come to Greece and not obtain asylum and is willing to readmit all immigrants who do not come from Syria and all who were intercepted in its territorial waters, and take firm action against human traffickers.
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