Future of EU-Türkiye migration deal 'not a concern'

(Baonghean.vn) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has just affirmed that the migration deal agreed between the European Union (EU) and Türkiye will go ahead as planned. Her comments were made in response to threats from Ankara to reject the agreement due to a dispute over visa-free travel.

German Chancellor Merkel and Turkish President Erdogan.

Chancellor Merkel said on May 25 that she had “no concerns” about the future of the controversial EU-Türkiye migration deal, even as tensions between Germany and Türkiye grew over the details of the agreement.

Shortly after the cabinet meeting, Ms Merkel told reporters that the deal would go ahead as planned, despite threats from Türkiye that it might not last.

Merkel said more time would be needed to fully implement the deal, adding: “But in any case we are on the right track towards a settlement.”

Threat from Ankara

The accord hit a new roadblock after the Turkish parliament passed a bill stripping political immunity from lawmakers with links to the Kurdish PKK, a move that drew international criticism as an example of Erdogan’s efforts to consolidate power and reduce the influence of the country’s Kurdish minority.

Türkiye's new minister for EU relations, Omer Celik, said on May 25 that the bloc was applying "double standards" regarding Ankara's fight against terrorism, adding that EU membership was important for Türkiye but was not its "only option."

Earlier, on May 23, Eucho said it had suspended plans to implement visa-free travel for Turks, asserting that Ankara had not implemented necessary reforms on press freedom and the judiciary in a timely manner. The agreement was intended to allow 75 million Turks to enter the Schengen area for 90 days without a visa.

In response, on May 24, Mr. Erdogan said Ankara might end the entire migration deal. According to the content of this agreement, Türkiye will take back migrants from this country to Greece. In return, the EU will provide 6 billion euros for Türkiye to provide accommodation and care for migrants.

Thao Linh

(According to Reuters, dpa)