The European Commission is to make a further €1 billion in aid available to Turkey to help the country cope with hosting Syrian refugees and to support access to education and healthcare in particular, announced the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday 17 December in Ankara, during her meeting with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“An additional €1 billion for 2024 is on its way. This will support, among others, healthcare and education of refugees in Turkey and (...) will contribute to migration and border management, including voluntary returns of Syrian refugees”, she said.
Depending on how the situation evolves on the ground, however, “we can adapt this one billion to the new needs that might occur in Syria”. The two leaders took stock of the new regional situation following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
This event “gives hope to the Syrian people. The hope of returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives”, commented the President, while also stating that “the lack of predictability demands utmost caution. Therefore, one thing is very clear: all returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified. We are working with the UNHCR to make sure that the necessary conditions are met”.
Turkey “continues to be a key partner in managing migration along the Eastern Mediterranean route. It is crucial that we work together on our shared priorities, and deepen our cooperation on border management, the fight against migrant smuggling, and on visas”.
Since 2011, the EU has provided almost €10 billion for refugee reception efforts, according to the President. She also envisages a new High-level Dialogue between the EU and Turkey on migration and security in 2025, as set out in her letter to European leaders (see other news).
“We expect the EU to diversify its support that it used to relieve our burden in the past to facilitate voluntary returns”, commented the Turkish President. “It is also essential that this support would include basic infrastructure investments in Syria so that it can be long-term, comprehensive and sustainable”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)