Germany calls for new migration treaty with Turkey

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for an updated version of the 2016 migration treaty between the EU and Ankara to be signed, Deutsche Welle Turkish reported on June 21. "We need to update our collaboration on migration with Turkey," Maas said, adding that building on the 2016 treaty would be beneficial for the EU.

Monday June 21 2021 02:53 pm

Duvar English

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas asked for a new treaty on immigrants to be signed between the European Union (EU) and Ankara, Deutsche Welle Turkish reported on June 21.

The immigration treaty between the EU and Ankara signed in 2016 became the center of controversy in early 2020 when Ankara allowed migrants' passages into Europe.

"We need to update our collaboration on migration with Turkey," Maas said, adding that building on the 2016 treaty would be beneficial for the EU.

Turkey has borne a significant weight of the refugee crisis despite all conflict between Ankara and the EU, Maas said, noting that the former "cares" for almost four million refugees.

"I don't want to give a concrete number, but an [update to the treaty] can obviously not be carried out without funding," the minister said, noting that Turkey's efforts so far have allowed the EU to save funds.

Maas also said that he wasn't sure EU member states would be willing to launch a rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea, adding that even if the project was realized, the organization couldn't welcome all migration into Europe with open arms.