Refugee Crisis: European Anti-migrant Parties

Baroness Sheehan Excerpts

Wednesday 16th March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sheehan (LD)]

My Lords, given that it is quite clearly in serious breach of international law, will the Government reject the EU-Turkey action plan as it stands? Will the Minister ask the Prime Minister to show some leadership at tomorrow’s meeting and ensure that the EU and Turkey come up with a sustainable plan to create safe and legal routes for refugees, in compliance with international law?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, I think that the noble Baroness refers to the EU-Turkey summit of last week—

[Baroness Sheehan]

Tomorrow.

[The Earl of Courtown]

Yes, that of last week and the finalisation of the agreement, at the end of this week, of what was discussed on 7 March. No, the noble Baroness shakes her head. As far as I understand her concern, the European Union has agreed that, for every Syrian readmitted by Turkey from the Greek islands, another Syrian in Turkey will be resettled in the EU. Visa-free travel for Turkey will also be accelerated, as will next steps on Turkey’s EU accession progress and the disbursement of the €3 billion agreed in December last year.