Europe needs Turkey’s aid in migrants’ issue
European Union leaders, at a meeting in Brussels, have agreed on a plan to offer Turkey $3.5 billion, together with visa-free travel and renewed accession talks, in return for stopping the flow of refugees and migrants into the EU. But the offer is getting a lukewarm reception in Ankara. The European money is aimed at helping Turkey to improve conditions for the two million refugees it is hosting on its soil – and keeping them in Turkey. To sweeten the deal, visa-free travel to the EU for Turkish citizens will be fast-tracked and talks on Turkey joining the EU will be ‘re-energized’. German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the meeting as ‘very productive’. "The question of money played a role, as well as the start of a new chapter, by which I mean we will revitalize the perspective for accession for Turkey," Merkel said. But Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Friday Europe’s offer of talks on EU membership was insincere. He said many of the European Union member countries fall behind Turkey in adopting EU rules and regulations. Turkey is ahead of many of these countries in terms of economic progress, but - he added - unfortunately, they are not sincere. Voice of America
