EU implementation report claims drop in refugee flow

An implementation report on the EU-Turkey joint action plan seeking to tackle the growing refugee flows into Europe has highlighted that the number of arrivals decreased from more than 200,000 to less than 100,000 from October 2015 to January this year, thanks to the commitment of both sides.

The European Commission released on Feb. 10 its implementation report regarding the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan, activated on Nov. 20, 2015.

The report, published by the monthly magazine of Turkey's Economic Development Foundation (IKV), also recognized the progress achieved in Turkey's commitment to the alignment of Turkish and EU visa policy as well as to "ensure that migrants are properly registered and provided with the appropriate documents on a compulsory basis."

Efforts to facilitate access to public services

"Turkey pursued its efforts in further facilitating the access of Syrian nationals in Turkey under temporary protection to public services such as education, health and employment," the report added, highlighting cooperation with neighboring countries Bulgaria and Greece.

The commission also noted, "Turkey has accelerated its work towards the implementation of the visa liberalization roadmap, including the Turkey-EU readmission agreement, which is expected to enter into force for third country nationals as of June 1."

Accordingly, the commission's report commended Turkey's efforts to "prevent irregular departures as well as drafting legislation on personal data protection in order to facilitate further cooperation with Frontex, Europol and Eurojust" and other agencies.

Cooperation needed for exchange of information 

The commission underlined that the EU has vowed to increase its financial...