Despite the agreement on refugees signed between the European Union and Turkey, to the entry of this country into the EU is still far. As radio station France Inter, it was stated by the EU high representative for foreign Affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini.
According to her, the EU is working on a solution to the refugee problem. “The agreement with Turkey is just one of its parts, – said Mogherini. – It allows you to open legal channels for the movement of people and thereby to destroy illegal carriers”.
In response to the return of migrants who have not received asylum in the EU, Turkey will receive financial support. But she, as specified by the Commissioner, will not go into the state Treasury, but directly to the projects implemented in the refugee camps.
As for Turkey joining the EU (one of the conditions of the agreement was the resumption of negotiations), but it is “still far away”, said Mogherini. She stressed that currently has not even resolved the issue of visa-free regime for Turkish citizens in the Schengen area. She also recalled the Balkan countries, negotiations with which are conducted for decades, but prior to the entry into the EU which is still very far away.
Nevertheless, Mogherini believes it is important to dialogue Brussels and Ankara. “I am convinced that the negotiations with Turkey about EU membership – the only way to help this country to modernize the state, to respect the fundamental rights, including media freedom and freedom of speech,” said the Commissioner.
