The European Union has welcomed in 74 Syrian refugees from Turkey and sent more than 300 migrants back there under a new agreement between the EU and Ankara.
European Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos announced the figures to EU lawmakers on Tuesday, and noted that “implementing this agreement is a challenge.”
Under the deal, which entered force on April 4, migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey from March 20 who do not qualify for international protection will be sent back.
For every Syrian returned, the EU has pledged to accept one Syrian refugee directly from Turkey, where an estimated 2.7 million Syrians are taking refuge from the conflict in their homeland.
The United Nations and rights groups are concerned the deal might infringe on people’s rights.