EU closely monitoring Turkey on curbing migrant flows, says EU Commissioner

The European Union is closely watching whether Turkey's actions are affecting the record flow of migrants to Europe, after the EU reached a $3 billion deal with Ankara to curb migration last year, European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on Jan. 25. 

The composition of refugees transiting through Turkey has changed, with Syrians fleeing the civil war now making up less than 40 percent, Hahn said at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu, EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozk?r and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, after talks with Turkish officials. Syrians were by far the largest group in 2015. 

Mogherini, meanwhile, said she was "very confident" that the EU would deliver the promised 3 billion euros to Turkey in return for its help in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe. The fund has so far been stalled due to objections from Italy.

"I am very confident that the amount that was decided will be there in very reasonable timing," Mogherini said. 

She stressed that the EU must do more to support Turkey in its effort to care for the refugees, adding that improving conditions within Syria through a transition process was extremely important.
 
EU Commissioners urge ceasefire, return to peace talks

Mogherini also said she had shared her concerns with Çavu?o?lu and Bozk?r about the situation in Turkey's southeast, where military operations are ongoing against militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 

"We call for an immediate ceasefire in the southeast and strongly condemn all kinds of terrorism," Mogherini told reporters, adding that the two sides must return to peace talks.

Hahn added that the bloc was ready to work with Turkey on a...