There was much fanfare among government circles in Ankara after Turkey and the European Union concluded on March 18 what Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu calls a “historic agreement” aimed at stemming the uncontrolled flow of refugees to Europe. Not everyone in Turkey is convinced, however, that Ankara emerged from the bargain as a winner, as the government claims. Many also question the morality of using refugees to barter for gains that have nothing to do with the plight of desperate people.

The agreement foresees sending back, beginning April 4, all refugees who cross or have crossed illegally into EU territory via Turkey after March 20. In return for each refugee sent back, a refugee will be sent to Europe from Turkey through legal channels.

The ceiling for those to be sent to Europe will be 72,000, and if this is exceeded, the agreement will be deemed to have failed in its mission of discouraging illegal entry. On paper at least, there will be no forced or mass expulsions, and the process of returning refugees to Turkey will be monitored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which has expressed reservations about the legality of the agreement.

The EU will also allocate 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion) to Ankara under the so-called Facility for Refugees in Turkey and will mobilize an additional 3 billion euros by the end of 2018. The EU will also grant visa-free travel for Turks by the end of 2016, provided Ankara satisfies 72 criteria, which the government says it is ready to do. The EU has also promised to “re-energize” Turkey’s membership process by lifting barriers some member states had placed in Ankara’s path.