Brussels: As at least 25 more migrants drowned trying to cross the Aegean Sea route to Greece. The European Union leaders declare Monday that they will “close the Balkans route in the coming days,” ending the “wave-through approach” to migrants that has caused chaos and tension in Europe. As hundreds of thousands of migrants mostly use this route to reach Europe.
EU leaders will declare today at their summit which is attended by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels. The EU officials also said they will also be anxious not to alienate Ankara just as hopes are rising of a solution to the crisis.
The copy of the document obtained by POLITICO said. “Irregular flows of migrants along the Western Balkans route are coming to an end; this route is now closed.”
The EU leaders will also assure Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of help housing those now stranded in Greece who hope to follow the million that found refuge in Germany last year and to renew the commitment to revive plans to relocate asylum claimants around the EU. Said the diplomats.
Turkish authorities on Friday seized Zaman, the country’s largest opposition newspaper. A diplomat said there’s enough discomfort with Turkey’s behavior to cause trouble on Monday. “I am afraid we could have an intense discussion on that since some are complaining that the EU has been too soft with Ankara,” said the diplomat.
Another official said. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, in his meeting in Ankara with Tusk on Thursday, agreed to step up the return of illegal migrants from Greece as part of a bilateral readmission program with Athens.