The crucial summit between the EU and Turkey on the refugee crisis will kick off this afternoon (16:00 Athens time) with the Greek PM also holding critical bilateral meetings with various officials – including the German Chancellor – earlier in the day.
A meeting of the EU member states has been scheduled around 15.00 (local time), following the EU-Turkey meeting.
The Greek prime minister is expected to reiterate the need to meet the terms of the EU agreements on the refugee issue and put pressure on Turkey to speed up the readmission procedures.
In parallel to the refugee talks, Eurozone Finance Ministers will be discussing the ongoing implementation of Greece΄s economic adjustment programme, focusing on the reforms required for the successful completion of the first review.
In the meanwhile, leaders have begun arriving for a crucial EU Summit with Turkey, as the ongoing migration crisis continues to plague the Aegean Sea.
Some of the countries’ leaders have begun to arrive early, as they are due to hold side-line meetings in preparation for the main summit.
“Fundamental principle is the allocation of responsibility”
In his arrival statement, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said, “We have principles and values in Europe and one of our fundamental principles is the allocation of responsibility as well as solidarity.”
He added that the refugee issue is a common European problem, and not a problem of only one country.
Tsipras stressed the importance of finding a common solution, a “European solution.”
“Today we are looking forward to concrete results in the meeting with Turkey in order to implement the Action Plan, to substantially reduce flows to Greece and combat networks of smugglers,” Tsipras stated, adding that it is necessary to “significantly accelerate the process of relocation and have a credible relocation process.”
Mark Rutte is reservedly optimistic
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed that he was reservedly optimistic on being able to reach a solution between the EU leaders and Turkey at the summit.
Specifically, he said that some are talking about obligations, while he believes that they need to come to a common approach, which he said makes him reservedly optimistic.
Merkel: Difficult negotiations and many hours until an agreement is reached
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that it will be a long process to find a solution with on the refugee crisis between EU and Turkey.
She added that many hours will be needed until an agreement is reached between the two.
“The whole future of our continent is on the table”
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, “The only way to respond to these challenges is with solidarity,” on his arrival at the summit. He added that this summit would decide the whole future of the continent.
Davutoglu also mentioned his “fruitful” meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Sunday.
He closed by saying, “We are ready to work with the EU and be a member of the EU,” adding that he hopes they can also focus on the Turkish accession process at the summit.
Cyprus had denied that any such discussion would be taking place at the summit in a statement on Sunday.
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