This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/european-leaders-gather-to-broker-migrant-deal/2016/03/07/1a676042-e24e-11e5-8c00-8aa03741dced_story.html
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| European leaders gather to broker migrant deal | European leaders gather to broker migrant deal |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| PARIS — European leaders gathered Monday in Brussels to broker a controversial deal that would send non-Syrian migrants back to Turkey from Greece. | PARIS — European leaders gathered Monday in Brussels to broker a controversial deal that would send non-Syrian migrants back to Turkey from Greece. |
| The deal, originally proposed in November, reflects an increasing desire across Europe to curb the flow of the 1.2 million migrants who arrived on the continent last year — even if it means resettling them in a place many view as unsafe for asylum. | The deal, originally proposed in November, reflects an increasing desire across Europe to curb the flow of the 1.2 million migrants who arrived on the continent last year — even if it means resettling them in a place many view as unsafe for asylum. |
| According to Human Rights Watch, Turkey does not provide adequate protection for refugees and has frequently sent asylum seekers back to Syria. Although it has ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, Turkey is ultimately the only country in the world that imposes a geographical limitation on refugee status, which means it only recognizes the claims of European citizens. | According to Human Rights Watch, Turkey does not provide adequate protection for refugees and has frequently sent asylum seekers back to Syria. Although it has ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, Turkey is ultimately the only country in the world that imposes a geographical limitation on refugee status, which means it only recognizes the claims of European citizens. |
| [As the route to Europe closes, migrants journey through grief] | |
| Europe’s desperate need for Turkey’s assistance in the problem has placed the country in a prime position for negotiation. In what seemed like a test for European leaders, the Turkish government Friday seized control of Zaman, the country’s largest newspaper. Although the European Union considers press freedom a fundamental right, European leaders may look the other way if Ankara agrees to help. | Europe’s desperate need for Turkey’s assistance in the problem has placed the country in a prime position for negotiation. In what seemed like a test for European leaders, the Turkish government Friday seized control of Zaman, the country’s largest newspaper. Although the European Union considers press freedom a fundamental right, European leaders may look the other way if Ankara agrees to help. |
| “It's a slap in the face,” one senior EU official told Reuters on Sunday. “(Turkish President) Erdogan wants obviously to show that he can do what he wants.” | “It's a slap in the face,” one senior EU official told Reuters on Sunday. “(Turkish President) Erdogan wants obviously to show that he can do what he wants.” |
| If Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accepts the proposed resettlement of all migrants not in need of international protections, Europe, in return, is primed to expedite Turkey’s accession to the European Union, a long-desired aim. | If Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accepts the proposed resettlement of all migrants not in need of international protections, Europe, in return, is primed to expedite Turkey’s accession to the European Union, a long-desired aim. |
| EU leaders have also pledged 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as promising to relax visa requirements for Turkish citizens seeking to live and work in Europe. | EU leaders have also pledged 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees in Turkey, as well as promising to relax visa requirements for Turkish citizens seeking to live and work in Europe. |
| [Europe’s harsh new message for migrants: ‘Do not come’] | |
| Leaders of the 28-state European Union have come under significant pressure to manage the largest European immigration crisis since the end of World War II. After more than one million people arrived by sea last year, approximately 2,000 people are arriving in Greece from Turkey every day. On Sunday, local media reported, at least 25 people drowned off the Turkish coast attempting to reach Greece. | Leaders of the 28-state European Union have come under significant pressure to manage the largest European immigration crisis since the end of World War II. After more than one million people arrived by sea last year, approximately 2,000 people are arriving in Greece from Turkey every day. On Sunday, local media reported, at least 25 people drowned off the Turkish coast attempting to reach Greece. |
| The summit in Brussels comes just days after Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, appealed to migrants directly: “I want to appeal to all potential illegal economic migrants wherever you are from: Do not come to Europe.” | The summit in Brussels comes just days after Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, appealed to migrants directly: “I want to appeal to all potential illegal economic migrants wherever you are from: Do not come to Europe.” |
| Still grappling with a staggering debt crisis, Greece has neither the resources nor the infrastructure to shelter the constant stream of migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean Sea. More than 10,000 migrants are now at the country’s northern border with Macedonia, desperate to pass through the Balkans and into northern and western Europe. | Still grappling with a staggering debt crisis, Greece has neither the resources nor the infrastructure to shelter the constant stream of migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean Sea. More than 10,000 migrants are now at the country’s northern border with Macedonia, desperate to pass through the Balkans and into northern and western Europe. |
| Although European Union officials proposed to earmark 700 million euros ($760 million) in humanitarian aid last Wednesday, individual member states have until now largely been left to their own devices. Some, such as Germany, have re-introduced border controls. Others, such as Croatia, have gone so far as to threaten military deployment against migrants. | Although European Union officials proposed to earmark 700 million euros ($760 million) in humanitarian aid last Wednesday, individual member states have until now largely been left to their own devices. Some, such as Germany, have re-introduced border controls. Others, such as Croatia, have gone so far as to threaten military deployment against migrants. |
| [Humanitarian groups accuse French authorities of brutality against migrants] | |
| Although European leaders worry that too much EU criticism of Turkish authoritarianism might jeopardize the deal, refugee advocacy groups, such as the United Nations Refugee Agency and Amnesty International, have criticized its legality. | Although European leaders worry that too much EU criticism of Turkish authoritarianism might jeopardize the deal, refugee advocacy groups, such as the United Nations Refugee Agency and Amnesty International, have criticized its legality. |
| In addition to European citizens, only Syrians can currently claim shelter in Turkey. Nothing officially prohibits Turkish officials from placing those who have fled other conflict zones — such as Iraq and Afghanistan — in detention camps or even from deporting them altogether. | In addition to European citizens, only Syrians can currently claim shelter in Turkey. Nothing officially prohibits Turkish officials from placing those who have fled other conflict zones — such as Iraq and Afghanistan — in detention camps or even from deporting them altogether. |
| Many European officials, however, face electorates increasingly dissatisfied with the migrant situation in their home countries. Most notably, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will face regional elections this coming Sunday. She, among others, is keen to see a semblance of a solution devised by then. | Many European officials, however, face electorates increasingly dissatisfied with the migrant situation in their home countries. Most notably, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will face regional elections this coming Sunday. She, among others, is keen to see a semblance of a solution devised by then. |
| Read more: | |
| Most of the refugees stuck in Greece are now women and children | |
| Spring could bring a fresh surge of refugees. But Europe isn’t ready for them. | |
| Turkey cracks down on foreign fighters |