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Migrant ‘exchange’: Turkey accepts mass returns, but sends Syrians to Europe Migrant ‘exchange:’ Turkey accepts mass returns, but sends Syrians to Europe
(about 3 hours later)
PARIS —Turkey offered Tuesday to ease Europe’s migrant crisis with a two-way deal: agreeing to accept the mass return of people who struggled to reach European shores, but demanding that Europe take Syrian refu­gees from camps and other sites in Turkey.PARIS —Turkey offered Tuesday to ease Europe’s migrant crisis with a two-way deal: agreeing to accept the mass return of people who struggled to reach European shores, but demanding that Europe take Syrian refu­gees from camps and other sites in Turkey.
The tentative pact, reached in Brussels after hard bargaining from Turkey, marks a major shift among European nations that last year opened their borders to the huge flow of migrants but now have blocked their way.The tentative pact, reached in Brussels after hard bargaining from Turkey, marks a major shift among European nations that last year opened their borders to the huge flow of migrants but now have blocked their way.
For Turkey, meanwhile, the desperation in Europe gives it rare leverage. A chief goal is to clear out huge refu­gee camps for some of the more than 2.7 million Syrians who have fled to Turkey to escape the five-year conflict. Turkey also used the summit to pry more aid money from the European Union and press its bid for membership in the bloc.For Turkey, meanwhile, the desperation in Europe gives it rare leverage. A chief goal is to clear out huge refu­gee camps for some of the more than 2.7 million Syrians who have fled to Turkey to escape the five-year conflict. Turkey also used the summit to pry more aid money from the European Union and press its bid for membership in the bloc.
[Gallery: Migrants stranded as pathways in Europe blocked][Gallery: Migrants stranded as pathways in Europe blocked]
Under the deal, all newly arrived economic migrants and Syrian refugees who reach Greece by boat would be sent back to Turkey. But for each Syrian among those returned, the European Union would be required to accept a different Syrian refugee in a “one-for-one” exchange.Under the deal, all newly arrived economic migrants and Syrian refugees who reach Greece by boat would be sent back to Turkey. But for each Syrian among those returned, the European Union would be required to accept a different Syrian refugee in a “one-for-one” exchange.
An E.U. official said the deal would not affect the hundreds of thousands in Europe whose applications for asylum have yet to be processed.An E.U. official said the deal would not affect the hundreds of thousands in Europe whose applications for asylum have yet to be processed.
Details are still under discussion, but the plan could mean that some Syrians would face a dizzying passage: reaching Europe — usually aided by smuggling networks — then being sent to Turkey and finally being allowed back into the European Union at some point.Details are still under discussion, but the plan could mean that some Syrians would face a dizzying passage: reaching Europe — usually aided by smuggling networks — then being sent to Turkey and finally being allowed back into the European Union at some point.
The agreement also seeks to reinforce last week’s message to migrants from European Council President Donald Tusk: “Don’t come.”The agreement also seeks to reinforce last week’s message to migrants from European Council President Donald Tusk: “Don’t come.”
Rights groups and others immediately raised questions over the pact, asking whether it violated international norms that call for asylum claims to be heard before possible deportation.Rights groups and others immediately raised questions over the pact, asking whether it violated international norms that call for asylum claims to be heard before possible deportation.
Pressure was high for an accord, with migrants stranded at blocked borders or crowded into makeshift encampments in Greece while thousands more cross the Aegean Sea. Since last year, more than 1 million migrants, asylum seekers and others have poured into Europe from places including war-ravaged Syria and Iraq.Pressure was high for an accord, with migrants stranded at blocked borders or crowded into makeshift encampments in Greece while thousands more cross the Aegean Sea. Since last year, more than 1 million migrants, asylum seekers and others have poured into Europe from places including war-ravaged Syria and Iraq.
At its most abstract, the agreement was a means of curbing “irregular migration,” a phrase the encompasses job seekers and others not fleeing imminent peril. In a statement, E.U. leaders said that these “bold moves” would crack down on smugglers and protect the continent’s external borders.At its most abstract, the agreement was a means of curbing “irregular migration,” a phrase the encompasses job seekers and others not fleeing imminent peril. In a statement, E.U. leaders said that these “bold moves” would crack down on smugglers and protect the continent’s external borders.
[Doors slamming shut across Europe][Doors slamming shut across Europe]
“We need to break the link between getting in a boat and getting settlement in Europe,” the statement said.“We need to break the link between getting in a boat and getting settlement in Europe,” the statement said.
At a more practical level, however, the deal raises many logistical and legal questions.At a more practical level, however, the deal raises many logistical and legal questions.
In theory, its open-ended language could require the European Union to resettle tens of thousands — and even hundreds of thousands — down the line.In theory, its open-ended language could require the European Union to resettle tens of thousands — and even hundreds of thousands — down the line.
Resettlement on such a potentially large scale would also depend on the participation of member states across the 28-nation European Union. But such consensus is hardly guaranteed.Resettlement on such a potentially large scale would also depend on the participation of member states across the 28-nation European Union. But such consensus is hardly guaranteed.
Some E.U. states have strongly objected to the mandatory quota proposal that some diplomats implied would accompany the new policy. In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatened a veto.Some E.U. states have strongly objected to the mandatory quota proposal that some diplomats implied would accompany the new policy. In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatened a veto.
Legally, the deal also risks subverting traditional asylum procedures, which require that any application must be considered and that applicants cannot be sent to countries without adequate protection.Legally, the deal also risks subverting traditional asylum procedures, which require that any application must be considered and that applicants cannot be sent to countries without adequate protection.
Critics insist that Turkey falls short of offering a haven while asylum and refu­gee claims are sorted out.Critics insist that Turkey falls short of offering a haven while asylum and refu­gee claims are sorted out.
Although Turkey ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, it recognizes refugee status only for citizens of certain countries. Only Syrians among the current crop of refugees can currently claim such status, leaving others who have fled conflict zones such as Eritrea, Iraq and Afghanistan without any special protection.Although Turkey ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, it recognizes refugee status only for citizens of certain countries. Only Syrians among the current crop of refugees can currently claim such status, leaving others who have fled conflict zones such as Eritrea, Iraq and Afghanistan without any special protection.
“We know, we’ve documented, that Turkey is not a safe place for asylum seekers and refugees,” said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s deputy Europe director. “We’ve documented people being sent all the way to the south of Turkey, held in incommunicado detention, and sent back to Syria.”“We know, we’ve documented, that Turkey is not a safe place for asylum seekers and refugees,” said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s deputy Europe director. “We’ve documented people being sent all the way to the south of Turkey, held in incommunicado detention, and sent back to Syria.”
The U.N. refugee agency also expressed concern about a possible “blanket returns” from the European Union — a possible violation of international law.The U.N. refugee agency also expressed concern about a possible “blanket returns” from the European Union — a possible violation of international law.
The agency’s Europe bureau director, Vincent Cochetel, told reporters in Geneva that it was misleading to emphasize “irregular migrants” because 91 percent of those arriving in Greece are from war-torn countries such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.The agency’s Europe bureau director, Vincent Cochetel, told reporters in Geneva that it was misleading to emphasize “irregular migrants” because 91 percent of those arriving in Greece are from war-torn countries such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
For Turkey, the summit ultimately provided a chance to exert considerable leverage on a decades-long push for E.U. membership as well as expedited visas for Turks seeking to live and work in Europe.For Turkey, the summit ultimately provided a chance to exert considerable leverage on a decades-long push for E.U. membership as well as expedited visas for Turks seeking to live and work in Europe.
Just days after the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seized control of Zaman, the country's largest newspaper, E.U. leaders seemed willing to look the other way in order to broker a deal.Just days after the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seized control of Zaman, the country's largest newspaper, E.U. leaders seemed willing to look the other way in order to broker a deal.
The E.U. statement mentioned only that European leaders discussed “the situation of the media in Turkey” but offered no further details.The E.U. statement mentioned only that European leaders discussed “the situation of the media in Turkey” but offered no further details.
E.U. leaders plan to meet again March 18 to discuss the agreement's terms.E.U. leaders plan to meet again March 18 to discuss the agreement's terms.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the deal represents "a breakthrough if it is to be realized, if it is to be implemented."German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the deal represents "a breakthrough if it is to be realized, if it is to be implemented."
Anthony Faiola in Berlin contributed to this report.Anthony Faiola in Berlin contributed to this report.