Debate: Migration situation at the Greek-Turkish border and the EU's common response to it
Date: TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020
Speaker: Nikolina Brnjac
Language: EN

Let us start with the situation on the Greek borders, which is indeed the most pressing one. Greece has been under considerable pressure since 27 February 2020, following the announcement of Turkish authorities on opening borders towards the EU. According to some reports, there were some 20 000 persons inside the border area on the Turkish side trying to move towards the Greek sea and land borders. However, due to the timely reaction, both on operational and political levels, massive illegal border crossings did not take place. Despite certain incidents, we can say that the current situation is stable, both on land and sea borders.  Last week, Home Affairs Ministers met for an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss the situation at the EU’s external borders with Turkey. In line with the strong statements made by the Presidents of the EU institutions the day before their visits to the Greek-Turkish border, the Ministers expressed strong solidarity with Greece, but also with other Member States which might be similarly affected in other efforts to manage the EU’s external borders. The Ministers sent a clear message that, while we acknowledge the increased migratory burden and risk that Turkey is facing on its territory, and the substantial efforts it has made in hosting 3.7 million migrants and refugees, we strongly reject Turkey’s use of migratory pressure for political purposes. The EU and its Member States remain determined to effectively protect the EU’s external borders, and illegal crossings will not be tolerated. In this regard, the EU and its Member States will take all necessary measures in accordance with EU and international law.  The current situation at our external borders is not acceptable. We express clearly our expectations that Turkey will continue with the full implementation of the 2016 Joint Statement. The Joint Statement produces tangible results in both the EU and Turkey, and we are therefore in favour of the continuation of this cooperation and commitment. The EU wants to continue supporting refugee communities in Turkey, as it has been doing for the past years.  Migrants should not be encouraged to endanger their lives by attempting illegal crossings by land or sea. The Council called upon the Turkish Government and all actors and organisations on the ground to relay this message and counter the dissemination of false information. Linked to this is the thriving business of organised crime networks and opportunistic migrant smugglers, which we will continue to fight actively. These messages were again clearly stated by our Foreign Ministers following the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 March, which took place in Zagreb.  As you know, yesterday, President Michel and President von der Leyen met President Erdoğan. The leaders discussed bilateral relations, the implementation of the EU-Turkey statement as well as the crisis in Syria. President Michel said, after the meeting, that it had been a step in the right direction, as both Turkey and the EU need to work on the full implementation of the EU-Turkey statement on migration in order to de-escalate the situation. The leaders decided to task High Representative Borrell and the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs with working over the next few days on clarifying the implementation of the deal between Turkey and the European Union. President Michel noted that the meeting had clarified a number of aspects relating to the implementation of the statement, and, in particular, had provided an opportunity to show how the EU has implemented its financial commitments, including the pledge to mobilise a total of EUR 6 billion to support refugees in Turkey.  Coming back to the situation in Greece, our response has so far been the following: last week, Frontex launched two calls for rapid intervention upon Greece’s request – one for the sea border and one for the land border. Deployments of additional staff under the rapid reaction pool, and technical assets under the rapid reaction equipment pool, are taking place. Greece also activated the Union Civil protection mechanism for equipment that will help them provide arriving migrants with basic non-food items such as medical equipment, shelters, tents, blankets and other necessary supplies. Member States have been very responsive and quick in their reaction, and the Commission has been efficient in coordinating efforts. The Commission has offered immediate assistance of EUR 350 million to Greece, which is available to support border and immigration management. The Commission also announced an additional EUR 350 million to further support the Greek authorities. The European Asylum Support Office will issue the call for 160 experts to be deployed in Greece, as soon as discussions with Greek authorities have been finalised.  In addition, it is important to further strengthen regional and operational cooperation with our partners. The Commission has proposed to further develop its coordination mechanism with the Western Balkan countries, the pending status agreement between the Western Balkan partners and Frontex should be completed as a matter of priority and quickly implemented. All these actions are a strong expression of our solidarity with Greece. They show we are firm, united in our commitment to protect the external borders. We will continue to closely monitor the situation at the EU external borders and ensure coordination between all those involved through the relevant channels. In a similar vein, the Presidency will continue the cooperation with the Western Balkan partners in addressing migratory challenges. The Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet on 13 March to follow up on the EU’s response to the migratory situation. The Council and the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate EU action.  On the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, we were informed the situation is stable. There is no increase in the number of illegal border crossings. However, the situation has to be closely monitored and we should increase our level of preparedness.  Concerning the western and central Mediterranean routes, we have not observed deterioration in the overall migratory situation, but we remain vigilant on all routes. I will let the Commission elaborate on the specific points of this action plan, presented last week, for the comprehensive assistance that the EU provides to improve the situation at the Greek-Turkish border.