- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

EU Commission Welcomes Approval of $3.3Bln Refugee Package With Turkey

© AFP 2023 / DIMITAR DILKOFFA Greek coast guard ship is seen behind a rubber boat with refugees and migrants near the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on October 13, 2015
A Greek coast guard ship is seen behind a rubber boat with refugees and migrants near the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on October 13, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The European Commission welcomes the $3.3 billion agreement for Turkey to stem the tide of refugees fleeing crises-torn countries into Europe, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Over 2.5 million Syrian refugees live temporarily in Turkey, according to the UN refugee agency.

"I welcome the agreement by the Member States on the details of the Refugee Facility for Turkey," Timmermans said, as quoted on the commission's website.

On November 29, the European Union and Turkey approved a joint plan to counter the influx of migrants into the bloc, under which EU member states will give 3 billion euros to Ankara in 2016-2017 and fast track the talks for its accession to the bloc.

"The improvement of living-conditions and the offering of a positive perspective will allow refugees to stay closer to their homes," Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiation Johannes Hahn added.

Late in January, Ankara requested an additional 2 billion euros from the European Union to tackle the refugee crisis.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала