Turkey once more benefited as the EU sends €1 billion "gift" for migration. The new financial assistance, amounting to 1 billion euros, for refugees hosted by Turkey, was announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from Ankara, where she met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the same time, Greece struggles with the hundreds of illegal immigrants coming from Turkey every day with boats sinking just off the coast of Greek islands like Gavdos, Leros and Lesbos and the Hellenic Navy launching rescue operations on daily basis for the souls traveling to Greece illegally.
HDN Newsroom
During a joint press conference with President Erdogan, Ursula von der Leyen said that "an additional billion euros is on its way to 2024." This amount will be allocated to cover health care and education for refugees in Turkey, but also for migration and border management; including the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, the Commission President said.
On Syria, von der Leyen said the EU should strengthen its "direct engagement" with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group in power since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, as well as with "other factions". He also stressed that the EU and its partners will not allow the resurgence of Islamic State in Syria. He added that "the Syrian people deserve a peaceful transition of power that will preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country" and that national unity should be respected and the rights of all minorities protected.
"Turkey has an essential role to play in stabilising the region," von der Leyen said. "Together we must remain vigilant against terrorism... and Turkey's legitimate concerns must be addressed," he said, stressing that all minorities in Syria must be safe.
Regarding returns of Syrian refugees back to their country, von der Leyen said that "all returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified," noting that the EU is in contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that all necessary conditions are met.
Von der Leyen also underlined the importance of EU-Turkey relations, which she said are "rich but also complex" and "moving forward". Indicatively, she stressed, she is visiting Ankara on one of her first trips, at the beginning of her second term. "Our economic relationship is stronger than ever," he said, noting that trade between the EU and Turkey reached a record high of 206 billion euros last year. "The EU is Turkey's largest trade and investment partner. Our intention is to strengthen it further," he added. He also promised the Turkish president that the EU would continue discussions on modernizing the customs union, noting however that "progress in this area requires stronger efforts."
The Commission President also said it discussed with the Turkish president the need to prevent sanctions against Russia from being circumvented. He also stressed that "it is important to restore talks with Cyprus within the framework of the UN."
For his part, President Erdogan stressed that EU candidacy remains a "strategic goal" for Turkey, while underlining that the latest developments have strengthened Turkey's position as a key country.
The Turkish president said he agrees with the European Commission that there should be a smooth political transition in Syria and a stable and inclusive government. He also added that there is no place for terrorist organizations in Syria, including Islamic State and the Kurds. He said he expected the EU to support the return of Syrians to their homeland.
At the same time, dozens of illegal immigrants arrive daily in Greece from Turkey, using the well-known method of the "sunken boat", as every day we have incidents off Gavdos and Leros with the Greek coast guard spending money and human resources to rescue irregular migrants that some smugglers bring illegally to our country, leave them offshore, The boats carrying them are sinking and Greece is obliged to suffer the consequences and save these human souls, while smugglers are making money and the EU is sending billions in "gifts" to Turkey, from where the majority of irregular migrants come to Greece and the EU.
New Rescue Operation Of Illegal Immigrants By The Hellenic Navy
Greek authorities say 23 migrants were rescued from a dinghy near the island of Lesbos in the eastern Aegean Sea on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
Rescue teams also recovered two more bodies after a boat carrying migrants sank off of Gavdos over the weekend, bringing the death toll to seven.
Greece’s government says migrant arrivals have increased by up to 35% since fall 2023. While most travel the short distance between the Turkish mainland and nearby Greek islands, a larger number now make the perilous 300-kilometer (200-mile) journey from the Libyan coast to the islands of Crete and Gavdos, officials said.
On Sunday, some 39 migrants were rescued from the sinking vessel while three other rescue operations saved more than 150 others. Dozens remain missing, based on survivors’ accounts, the coast guard said.
Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said pressure on eastern Mediterranean migration routes was likely to continue through 2025.
“The extensive geopolitical unrest in our broader region – where three wars are raging, the most recent in Syria – combined with the climate crisis, is forcing many to abandon their homes simply to survive,” Panagiotopoulos said, speaking in parliament during a budget debate that ended late Sunday.
“All these factors are leading to a significant increase in migration and refugee flows since late 2023,” he said.
The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data.
Following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad this month, Greece has temporarily suspended issuing final asylum decisions for Syrian applicants as the main basis for their claims – persecution by the Assad regime – may no longer apply. The asylum service is still accepting applications, but decisions are on hold pending a reassessment of conditions in Syria, according to government officials.
