Relations between Turkey and Europe are getting worse. At the end of March this year, Turkish Interior Minister Suleiman Soylu announced that Turkey would again allow illegal migrants heading to Europe to travel to the EU border as soon as the crown-crisis is over.
In an interview with the Turkish TV channel NTV, Soylu said that about 6,000 migrants waiting at the Turkish-Greek border to travel to the European Union have so far been sent to cities inside the country. This measure was taken by the Turkish authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“It was a precautionary step. We had to do it. However, we shouldn’t have been too happy too soon. When the coronavirus pandemic is over, we will not restrain migrants who want to return to the Greek-Turkish border at Pazarkul”, – Soylu said in an interview.
On March 7, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Khan suggested that possible additional financial support from the EU to help asylum seekers in Turkey should be less extensive than before.
“Many schools, kindergartens and hospitals for refugees have already been built and do not need new funds. Therefore Turkey’s need for financial support is already lower”, – the EU Commissioner said.
Khan also stressed that Ankara’s policy of blackmailing by constant threats to send migrants to the EU borders should be stopped.
“Only then will the EU in principle be ready to continue providing financial assistance to support refugees in Turkey”, – Khan stressed.
However, Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini reports that Turkey is even preparing to send migrants infected with coronavirus to Greece. According to media reports, Greek authorities have also confirmed the concentration of migrants on the west coast of Asia Minor.
Hundreds of illegal migrants and boats have accumulated in areas near the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios. However, most of them were quarantined for 14 days because of suspected coronavirus.
Kathimerini also indicated that migrants would soon try to cross the Turkish-Hellenic border. The Greek General Staff, the navy and the Coast Guard had already been brought on alert to react quickly in the event of illegal border crossings.