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From diplomatic crisis to implementation challenges, the EU-Turkey Migration Pact, which was to be “temporary and extraordinary” might be jeopardized.
Gentle reminder…
The EU-Turkey Migration Pact was concluded in March 2016 to address the migratory urgency and lack of intergovernmental consensus within the EU. With a budget of 3 billion euro, it aims to regulate migration flows from Turkey to Greek islands and to ensure the repatriation of irregular migrants, including asylum-seekers, in Turkey. To date, 1.5 billion euro has already been allocated (via EU programs) to projects aiming to improve the living conditions of migrants and aiming to support welcoming communities in Turkey.
One year later, what could be the Migration Pact assessment?
One year past its signature, the record of the migratory agreement seems positive. According to figures provided by the European Commission in its March 2017 latest report: migrant flows through Turkey to the Greek islands have fallen by 98%, from 10 000 people per day in 2015 to 43 today.
Persistent difficulties …
Indeed, the current and increasing tensions between Ankara and some European leaders call into question the agreements on the Migratory Pact. Moreover, a laborious coordination of European resources (material and human) and a difficult implication of a weakened Greece directly threaten the outcome of this migratory agreement.
Last reversal: the Turkish Minister of European Affairs, Omer CELIK, mentioned the possible reopening of land crossings, directly jeopardizing the EU-Turkey pact. At a time when Turkey seems to benefit from the agreement on the same basis as the European Union, can we speak of a bluffing effect or can it be considered a real threat?
