The EU is preparing to swap one problem for another

A EU summit dedicated to the problems of refugees and the possibility of an agreement with Turkey will start on March 17th in Brussels. Turkey is blackmailing the EU by using the flow of migrants as a weapon. Earlier, Turkey's proposals were not formally adopted due to Hungary's position. This time the leadership of the EU is planning to push the adoption of Turkey's proposals.

Turkish demands

On March 7th, the EU-Turkey summit ended in Brussels; the Turkish leadership put forward the following demands:
•    An additional 3 billion Euros to solve the problem of migrants.
•    A Visa-free regime in July, not in October, as was previously planned.
•    Acceleration of the negotiations on accession to the EU.

Getting something for nothing

In return, Turkey offered to accept all refugees who try to reach Europe using the Balkan route, starting from a certain date. In addition, Turkey is ready to accept all the refugees that are located on the islands of the Aegean in Greece, but in a very original scheme. According to Turkey, the EU countries should accept a migrant from Turkey for every migrant that will go to Turkey, and distribute them to member countries.

The EU's position

The EU leadership is prepared to accept this plan minus the additional €3 billion, which is still being discussed. Previously, Hungary felt uninspired by the distribution of refugees and temporarily delayed the adoption of the draft. Turkey's requirement to accelerate the introduction of a visa-free regime was met with sharp criticism from Europe. As a result, the EU has put forward 72 demands to Turkey for the visa-free regime. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of EU Commission, recently declared that Turkey would not be accepted into the EU in the next 10 years.

Nobody wants the Turks

Turkey has aspired to become a EU member since 1987. The adoption of the European Community countries, most of which are in Asia, and their Muslim population was an almost impossible matter for decades, despite the efforts of the Turkish leadership. Turkey has long acted as a "significant other" for a Christian Europe, and the cultural difference between Turks and Europeans is still strong today.

Turkey's efforts to accelerate its accession to the EU have met fierce resistance from European conservatives. At the state level the opposition came from the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban. The Leader of the French "National Front”, Marine Le Pen, and the head of the Italian "Northern League”, Matteo Salvini, also criticized the rapprochement with Turkey.

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