Turkey, Refugees on Europe’s Agenda Following Summit

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Different comments come from European Union (EU) countries on suggestions resulting in summit held on March 7 in Brussels to solve the refugee crisis. The summit will resume on March 18.

Disputes mainly concentrate on the conviction that too much concessions are being made to Turkey. Less “concessive” proposals such as limiting visa exemption to students and business people, or readmitting educated refugees only in refugee in exchange for refugees to be sent back from Greece.

In terms of solving the refugee crisis, Germany has the tendency to “solve” the problem in Turkey. Balcan countries think they will find solution by closing their borders. Greece is in a direr situation after arrival of new refugees. France is worried that citizens of Turkey may start going to Europe.

France opposes visa exemption

Former President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy in his statement to Le Monde has decisively opposed visa exemption for Turkey.

President of France, François Hollande spoke more clearly in his statement on March 8. “72 criteria must be met for citizens of Turkey to enter Schengen Area without visa”, Hollande said.

Hollande expressed that Turkey has fulfilled only 19 out of 72 criteria so far, and he is not informed even if Turkey made progress in the rest of the criteria.

Two voices from Germany

Germany is in the position of one of two closes countries to Turkey in solution of refugee crisis, however, politics within the country have divided into two.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized closing the borders on refugee route to Balkan countries.

Austria is please with closing its border

Interior Minister of Austria, Mikl-Leithner in his statement he made prior to meeting of EU Council of Interior Ministers on refugee crisis had said “Balkan route” will be closed.

Hungary acts like Austria as well. Hungarian government has decided to reinforce security units to stop refugees passing through countries in subject to reach west of Europe.

Merkel’s response

Merkel opposes this opinion. In interview she gave to MDR Radio, she said a solution must be offered to benefit 28 countries of the European Union. Merkel has also underlined the fact that situation in Greece is worsening.

Tsipras reacts against Balkan countries

Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras has chewed up Balkan countries’ closing their borders against the refugees. “If it keeps going like this, there won’t be a future for Europe”.

Figures prove Merkel right

After Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Macedonia have closed their borders, number of refugees stuck in Greece has risen to 35,000.

According to Merkel, closing the borders is a temporary solution. Ways to come to agreement with Turkey must be sought.

As far as understood from the messages she gave in the interview, Turkey’s demands will not be accepted as they are and will be worked on their details.

Election in Germany, test for Merkel

Elections will be held in states of Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saxony-Anhalt on March 13, Sunday. Of course, the main topic of election propaganda is whether too much concessions have been made to Turkey. Extreme right in Germany is already against the visa exemption.

It is critical that criticisms like “Huge concessions have been made to Turkey” arise from Merkel’s party, the Christian Democratic Party (CDU).

Small partner of the CDU in governing, Christian Socialist Union (CSU) also doesn’t accept lifting of visa exemption and accelerating Turkey’s membership negotiations with the EU.

Populist right party is on the rise in Germany

According to the polls made for elections to be held in the three states, CDU doesn’t seem to be losing votes but with the effect of refugee crisis, Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), the right populist party, seems to overcome 10%.