Turkey to get cash, closer EU ties at migration summit

EU leaders will offer Turkey cash and a boost for its membership bid in exchange for its cooperation with the migrant crisis at a summit Sunday, but officials warn a final deal will involve “difficult” negotiations.

The European Union is expected to agree on a €3 billion ($3.2 billion) aid package for Turkey to help it stop the flow of refugees to Europe from the conflict in Syria, 2.2 million of whom are currently in Turkey.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is also set to win a deal for the opening in December of a new chapter in Turkey’s stalled accession talks for the 28-nation bloc.

“This meeting will provide new momentum to relations. It’s important in so many aspects because it’s the first EU-Turkey summit in 11 years,” Davutoglu tells reporters at Ankara airport as he left for Brussels.

“It had already been decided that Turkey should not shoulder the migrant problem alone. A joint action plan has been agreed.”

— AFP