EU's Mogherini confident of delivering 3 billion euros to Turkey in migrant deal
Reuters
Published Jan 25, 2016 06:42AM ET
EU's Mogherini confident of delivering 3 billion euros to Turkey in migrant deal
By Dasha Afanasieva and Tulay Karadeniz
ANKARA (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief said on Monday she was "very confident" the bloc would deliver a promised 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in assistance to Turkey to help stem migrant flows, despite the funding being blocked by Italy.
EU leaders agreed to the aid as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing the numbers of refugees heading for Europe. But Italy has objected to the grant, saying there needs to be more certainty over how it is spent.
"I am very much confident that the amount that was decided will be there in very reasonable timing," Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Ankara after meetings with Turkish officials.
EU officials were continuing to assess the needs and projects that would receive funding, she said.
"We have to better support Turkey on the incredible work it's doing to host and protect an enormous number of refugees. On the Turkish side ... the management of the flow of refugees and also regular migrants ... has to be done in a better way."
Turkey, a candidate for membership of the EU, hosts more than 2.2 million refugees from the Syrian civil war but record numbers have used its territory over the past year to reach European borders, many attempting a treacherous sea crossing to the Greek islands.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, also part of a heavyweight delegation from Brussels, said the bloc was closely watching whether Turkish efforts to stem the flow - which have so far included issuing work permits to Syrians and visa requirements for those arriving by air - were having any effect.
The composition of refugees crossing Turkey had changed, he said, with Syrians now making up less than 40 percent. Other migrant nationalities using Turkey as a transit point into Europe include Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians and Pakistanis.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.