Human smugglers will need a new job, says Dutch prime minister on Turkey deal
Making the crossing from Turkey to Europe will become extremely unattractive as a result of the preliminary agreement made on Monday between the EU and Turkey, according to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
Turkey has said it is prepared to take back all illegal migrants to Europe on the condition that Europe will accept recognised Syrian refugees, on a one for one basis.
In addition, it wants plans to allow Turks visa-free travel in Europe to be speeded up and, reportedly, an increase in EU aid from €3bn to €6bn to deal with the crisis.
Rutte said he expected that ‘human smugglers will have to start looking for another job within a couple of weeks’. There is a ‘very good chance’ the plan will work, although details still need to be worked out, the Dutch prime minister is quoted as saying by broadcaster Nos.
Talks will continue over the next week ahead of an EU summit in mid-March. Most migrants come to the EU via Turkey which is already sheltering 2.7 million refugees from the civil war in neighbouring Syria.
MPs from the ruling coalition have also welcomed the deal.
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.
We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.
Make a donation