Refugee deal heralds ‘start of new relations’ between EU and Turkey

European Union leaders eager for Turkey’s help in the refugee crisis cautioned against promising too much to their often reluctant partner at a summit in Brussels yesterday, even as Turkey’s prime minister declared the beginning of a new era for relations between the two sides.

The emergency meeting at EU headquarters centred on a plan to offer Turkey €3bn, an easing of visa restrictions and fast-tracking of its EU membership process, in return for which Ankara is to tighten border security, and take back some migrants who don’t qualify for asylum in Europe.

“I want there to be an agreement so that Turkey takes on commitments, Europe supports it, and the refugees can be welcomed,” French president François Hollande said.