EU won’t seek agreement with Turkey at any cost
(VOVworld) – An EU deal with Turkey to solve the migrant crisis will not be signed at any cost. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday before the EU summit in Brussels that Germany has called for support for the deal to open more places for refugees. She said the deal may offer "a real chance" of a solution to the crisis, which has divided Europe. The EU will not offer Turkey fast-track to EU membership in exchange for any solution
. Turkish accession to the EU is not on the agenda right now, Merkel said.
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| Refugees and migrants board a Turkish Coast Guard Search and Rescue ship after a failed attempt of crossing to the Greek island of Lesbos. (Photo: Reuters) |
European Council President Donald Tusk warned on Wednesday that there was still a lot more to do to reach a deal with Turkey to curb mass migration as a standoff with Cyprus could scupper any deal. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades threatened to veto any progress in Turkey's accession talks unless Ankara recognized his independent state. Turkey’s proposal faced opposition from France, the Czech Republic, and humanitarian and refugee groups.