No deal yet with EU over migrant action plan: AKP spokesperson
ISTANBUL
Cihan Photo
Nothing has yet been concluded with the EU over the stemming of migrant and refugee flows, Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Ömer Çelik said on Oct. 16, adding that talks are still continuing.Earlier reports had suggested that EU leaders approved an action plan on the issue on Oct. 15.
The opening of new chapters in Turkey’s stalled EU accession process should not be a matter of "political bribery," Çelik also stated.
The EU has offered Turkey a possible 3 billion euros in aid, an easing of travel visas, and an opening of new chapters in talks on Ankara joining the bloc, in return for stemming the flow of migrants to Europe.
"Our intensified meetings with Turkish leaders ... were devoted to one goal: stemming the migratory flows that go via Turkey to the EU. The action plan is a major step in this direction," European Council President Donald Tusk said after a summit with EU leaders in Brussels.
"We need a response and an adequate response from the Turkish side; they are our partners in the crisis and the 'more for more' principle applies," he added.
In addition, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU had agreed to accelerate work on easing visa access.
"We have agreed with our Turkish partners that the visa liberalisation process will be accelerated but this does not mean that we will step away from the basic criteria," Juncker said.
