Brussels, 09/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 December, the ambassadors of the member states to the EU (Coreper) did not find any definitive solutions to financing the commitment of the European summit to pay €3 billion to Turkey over two years so that Turkey might regulate its migration flows to the EU (see EUROPE 11441).
On 25 November, the European Commission proposed a facility for Syrian refugees in Turkey - an instrument for which the Commission reportedly suggested making €500 million swiftly available from the European budget and making the other €2.5 billion depend on contributions from the member states. A discussion at the Ecofin Council on Tuesday 8 December confirmed that the member states were not very enthusiastic about this solution and most asked for the EU budget to contribute more to the facility, although the member states committed to providing a share of this €2.5 billion.
The Commission made a step in their direction on Wednesday, a Council source explained. The Commission has thus reportedly proposed giving a further €200 million from the European budget, bringing the EU share to €700 million. However, this proposal is still not considered enough.
The member states are also being asked several questions - especially the type of vehicle and financial set-up that can be used. Some delegations have asked for contingency margins of the European budget to be requested, for example for 2016 and 2017. This solution has not convinced everyone. The Commission has reportedly warned against re-opening discussion on the 2016 budget.
The paths for reflection given to the national ambassadors involve the use of external earmarked revenue (for example, contributions from member states, from third countries, revenue from charges and taxes) or the trust fund - all these options still remain to be decided upon. According to another source, some delegations have spoken of difficulties with their contribution, and have also asked for this expenditure to be taken into account in the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact and in the rules for calculating the deficit. Cyprus had expressly stated that it refuses to pay money to Turkey even if Cyprus says it is ready to contribute but in another way - in this case, paying money to Jordan or Lebanon, the same source added. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)