EU leaders back funding but warn Erdogan against 'instrumentalizing' Syrian migrants
EU leaders propose further funding to Turkey for Syrian refugees, but, at Greece’s insistence, issue a warning that the bloc “condemns any attempt by third countries to instrumentalize migrants for political purposes.”
Top European Union leaders agreed in principle June 24 on a new financial package for Turkey for hosting refugees and taking back migrants from Greece while also warning against “instrumentalization of migrants for political purposes.”
The 3.5 billion euros (nearly $4.2 billion) for Turkey would be part of a larger aid package that aims to continue to stop migrants from reaching the EU. It also would earmark 2.2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) for Lebanon and Jordan, according to a working document prepared by the European Commission for the two-day European Council summit of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended.
Turkey hosts nearly 3.7 million Syrian refugees, while Lebanon has 855,000 and Jordan nearly 667,000, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
A summit statement said, "The European Council calls on the Commission to put forward without delay formal proposals for the continuation of financing for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other parts of the region."
