Europe puts a proposal of the N-VA into practice and accompanies refugees back to Turkey

The European Commission is working on an action plan with Turkey to limit the inflow of asylum seekers in Europe. One of the main action points is the introduction of so-called push-backs to safe ports in Turkey. Europe wants the Turkish coast guard to implement this. In return, Turkey will be given European funds for the development of new asylum centres.

Sander Loones, MEP and vice-chairman of the N-VA, is satisfied: “One month ago, when we suggested push-backs to safe ports in Turkey, the response across the board was negative. The main criticism was that this was contrary to international law. Now Europe recognises that this is a vital tool for an effective and human approach to this asylum crisis.”

Humanitarian solution
MEP Helga Stevens also emphasised that push-backs are vital for a humanitarian asylum policy: “If we actively accompany boat migrants back to safe Turkish ports, fewer asylum seekers will undertake this life-threatening crossing in rickety boats. We thus limit the influx to Europe and reduce the risks for the asylum seekers. The Mediterranean should no longer be a mass grave.”

Read more about the specific measures with which the N-VA also wants to effectively tackle the asylum crisis on the European level here and here.