IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu reacted to the latest developments regarding the cooperation between Turkey and the EU in the refugee crisis and Turkey’s obligations before the Turkey-EU Summit which is scheduled to take place on 7 March 2016 in Brussels. Reminding that one of the most important principles and gains of the EU which is the principle of free movement is under threat, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu explained that the solution stems from a strong and honest cooperation with Turkey.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu added the following regarding the refugee crisis: “Last year, nearly 885,000 migrants have entered Greece through Turkey. In spite of tough winter conditions, this number rose to 110,000 between 17 December 2015-31 January 2016. Such numbers which are unprecedented constitute a strong pressure on the EU system. Indeed, the Schengen system which was formed step by step since 1985 is under threat. In the last summer season, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had come on board to try to find a common solution to this issue but did not receive unfortunately the necessary support from most EU Member States. Whilst with the quota system it was envisaged that the EU countries would share 160,000 refugees, they only accepted 40,000. Lastly, as countries such as Austria, Hungary and Slovenia have taken measures to close their borders; Member States such as France, Belgium and Denmark have resumed border controls as a result of the terror threat. In brief, such a chaotic atmosphere is threatening one of the most important principles and gains of the EU which is the principle of free movement”.

Within the framework of cooperation between the parties, while the Readmission Agreement between Turkey and the EU is scheduled to enter into force in June 2016, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu stressed that such a situation would create additional pressure upon Turkey by increasing the number of refugees already present in Turkey. Stressing that according to the provisions of the Readmission Agreement, Turkey has to provide temporary protection for political refugees, he indicated that the remaining will have to be send back to their country of origins by signing readmission agreements with these countries in question.

Reminding that a variety of problems may arose at the implementation stage and highlighting that the only solution for the continuation of the Schengen Area in the EU stems from effective and honest cooperation with Turkey, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu added these following steps need to be taken by Turkey and the EU:

• Turkey cannot shoulder and should not shoulder the responsibility of such a process alone. The EU should see that such an issue cannot be solved only through Turkey’s efforts and it should keep its promise of accepting more refugees and assisting Turkey in bringing the necessary technical and financial support regarding the integration of refugees living in Turkey. Furthermore, one should acknowledge that this is a common issue and there is no magic solution and as such, both parties should create common decision and implementation reflexes.
• By signing the Readmission Agreement with the EU and by accepting the Joint Action Plan on 29 November 2015, Turkey has committed itself to certain obligations. It is of utmost importance for its international reputation to meet those obligations. 
• Turkey is a candidate country to the EU and has the ambition of having a say in the shaping of Europe’s future. As such, by stressing that the EU is not ignoring the enduring problems, it should explain especially to the EU public through a communication campaign that it is playing an active role in trying to find and long lasting solution to the problem.
• In order for Turkey to accept the refugees which are to be readmitted in its realm, there should be documents proving that such individuals have entered the EU through Turkey. Moreover, within the framework of a joint committee between Turkey and the EU, joint decisions should be taken regarding whether Turkey is in a position to accept or not refugees which the EU is requesting to be readmitted. It is expected that Turkish officials will take an active role in this committee. In the event of further important issues in the implementation, there is a possibility that the agreement might be suspended. Within the conditions of increased border controls and effective measures against migrant smuggling, one should not think that with the implementation of the Readmission Agreement, there would be an uncontrolled reverse flow of refugees.
• As migration flows are entering on a large scale the EU in Greece through, it is of critical importance that cooperation is reinforced between both countries. Following the Turkey-EU Summit in Brussels on 7 March 2016, prime ministers of both countries are scheduled to come together in Izmir and will consult each other with respect to enhancing their cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling and the control of migrant entries through the Aegean Sea within the framework of a process which also includes NATO. Regardless of the fact that one country is within the EU and the other is not, both countries which share a similar fate should develop common plans in that regard.
• Finally, Turkey should remind EU its own responsibilities and encourage embracing a gentle approach as well as in the context of the Turkey-EU Summit in Brussels on 7 March 2016.  It should be stressed that the only credible solution stems from solidarity and joint action within the EU and that all EU Member States should strengthen their efforts in order to solve this human issue within the framework of their own respective capacities.