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Migrant crisis: Merkel and EU officials visit Turkey to promote deal Migrant crisis: Merkel and EU officials visit Turkey to promote deal
(about 5 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and top EU officials are due to visit the Turkish-Syrian border to promote a controversial month-old migrant deal.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and top EU officials are due to visit the Turkish-Syrian border to promote a controversial month-old migrant deal.
The visit comes amid questions over the legality of the EU-Turkey pact, which deports back to Turkey migrants who do not qualify for asylum in Greece.The visit comes amid questions over the legality of the EU-Turkey pact, which deports back to Turkey migrants who do not qualify for asylum in Greece.
Human rights groups say Turkey is not a safe place to return people.Human rights groups say Turkey is not a safe place to return people.
Turkish officials have warned the deal could collapse if demands for visa-free EU travel for its citizens are not met. Turkish officials have warned the deal may collapse if travel restrictions for its citizens are not eased.
The agreement says Turkey must meet 72 conditions by 4 May to earn the visa waiver, but diplomats say only half of those points have been met so far. The agreement says Turkey must meet 72 conditions by 4 May to earn access to the EU's visa-free Schengen area, but diplomats say only half of those points have been met so far.
Satire rowSatire row
Mrs Merkel is expected to visit a refugee camp in the southern city of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border, where she will meet Turkey's Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.Mrs Merkel is expected to visit a refugee camp in the southern city of Gaziantep, near the Syrian border, where she will meet Turkey's Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.
She will travel with the European Council President, Donald Tusk, and the EU Commission Vice-President, Frans Timmermans.She will travel with the European Council President, Donald Tusk, and the EU Commission Vice-President, Frans Timmermans.
Mrs Merkel has faced opposition in Germany for her migration policies and has defended the deal with Turkey despite opposition from some European partners.Mrs Merkel has faced opposition in Germany for her migration policies and has defended the deal with Turkey despite opposition from some European partners.
Her trip comes as she faces additional pressure for agreeing to the prosecution of a German comedian accused of insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Advocates of freedom of speech in both Turkey and Germany have called on Mrs Merkel to send out a strong message on the issue during her visit.
'Not everyone is convinced': Selin Girit, BBC News, Gaziantep, near the Syrian border'Not everyone is convinced': Selin Girit, BBC News, Gaziantep, near the Syrian border
It has been over a month now since the migrant deal between the EU and Turkey was struck, but not everyone is convinced that it is working smoothly.It has been over a month now since the migrant deal between the EU and Turkey was struck, but not everyone is convinced that it is working smoothly.
Although the number of migrants reaching Greece from Turkey has dropped by around 80%, few of staff promised by the EU to help enforce the deal have arrived, and many EU nations are dragging their feet to accept more migrants.Although the number of migrants reaching Greece from Turkey has dropped by around 80%, few of staff promised by the EU to help enforce the deal have arrived, and many EU nations are dragging their feet to accept more migrants.
Angela Merkel said the aim of the visit was to see the living conditions of migrants in Turkey.Angela Merkel said the aim of the visit was to see the living conditions of migrants in Turkey.
But more will be on the table, such as the promise of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens willing to go to Europe, which seems to be one of the most contentious issues.But more will be on the table, such as the promise of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens willing to go to Europe, which seems to be one of the most contentious issues.
Deal's first monthDeal's first month
The goal of the EU-Turkey deal is to deter migrants, mainly Syrians and Iraqis, from making the crossing between Turkey and Greece.The goal of the EU-Turkey deal is to deter migrants, mainly Syrians and Iraqis, from making the crossing between Turkey and Greece.
Under the agreement, migrants who have arrived illegally in Greece since 20 March are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.Under the agreement, migrants who have arrived illegally in Greece since 20 March are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.
For each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request.For each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request.
The scheme has reduced sharply the number of arrivals, from more than 56,000 in February to around 7,800 over the past 30 days, according to the European Commission.The scheme has reduced sharply the number of arrivals, from more than 56,000 in February to around 7,800 over the past 30 days, according to the European Commission.
However, the International Organization of Migration said unofficial data for arrivals in Greece in recent days suggested the numbers were picking up again.However, the International Organization of Migration said unofficial data for arrivals in Greece in recent days suggested the numbers were picking up again.
And the promised relocation to EU countries seems to be slow as nations are reluctant to take in more migrants - 103 Syrians have been resettled from Turkey to Europe, the commission said.And the promised relocation to EU countries seems to be slow as nations are reluctant to take in more migrants - 103 Syrians have been resettled from Turkey to Europe, the commission said.
Last month, EU border agency Frontex requested 1,550 extra staff to help oversee the deal, but so far only 340 police officers and experts have been sent.Last month, EU border agency Frontex requested 1,550 extra staff to help oversee the deal, but so far only 340 police officers and experts have been sent.
Rights organisations have attacked the scheme, with Amnesty International saying that Turkey has illegally returned Syrians to their country, a charge Ankara denies.Rights organisations have attacked the scheme, with Amnesty International saying that Turkey has illegally returned Syrians to their country, a charge Ankara denies.
The EU has pledged up to $6.8bn (£4.5bn) in aid to Turkey over the next four years.The EU has pledged up to $6.8bn (£4.5bn) in aid to Turkey over the next four years.
Ankara, however, expects more, including visa liberalisation, a point which faces opposition of some EU members.Ankara, however, expects more, including visa liberalisation, a point which faces opposition of some EU members.
"If the European Union does not take the steps it needs to take, if it does not fulfil its pledges, then Turkey won't implement this agreement,'' Mr Erdogan said earlier this month."If the European Union does not take the steps it needs to take, if it does not fulfil its pledges, then Turkey won't implement this agreement,'' Mr Erdogan said earlier this month.
Turkey already hosts some 2.7 million Syrian refugees, at a cost of over $10bn (£7bn), the government says.Turkey already hosts some 2.7 million Syrian refugees, at a cost of over $10bn (£7bn), the government says.
Mrs Merkel's trip comes as she faces additional pressure for agreeing to the prosecution of a German comedian accused of insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Advocates of freedom of speech in both Turkey and Germany have called on her to send out a strong message on the issue during her visit.
On Friday she said she had been wrong to give her personal opinion that the satirical poem by Jan Boehmermann was "deliberately insulting".
"With hindsight, it was an error," she told a meeting of regional officials in Berlin.
Mrs Merkel said the remark, made by her spokesman Steffen Seibert, may have given the impression that "freedom of opinion is not important, that freedom of the press is not important".
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.