On March 17 and 18, Māris Kučinskis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, participated in a meeting of the European Council at which the Heads of the EU States and Governments reached an important agreement on cooperation with Turkey aimed at halting the flow of migrants to Europe.
The Heads of the EU States and Governments reviewed the progress achieved in implementing previous decisions.
According to the pact, Turkey agrees to take back all migrants who cross to Greece starting from March 20, in return for the EU taking their respective number of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey provided they are exposed to threats in their home countries. Currently, Latvia does not possess the capacity to take an additional number of asylum-seekers and is ready to host refugees from Turkey in line with Latvia’s previous commitments.
The EU also agreed to accelerate disbursement of 3 billion euros already pledged in support for refugees in Turkey under the refugee support mechanism in Turkey. The total amount of bilateral installments by the EU Member States (except Cyprus which will pay its EU budget share in support to Jordan and Lebanon) will be 2 billion euros, while the EU budget share will be 1 billion euros. It is planned that the assistance programme will end in 2018.
According to the deal, any decisions on further funding will be considered upon Turkey’s utilization of the 3 billion euros earmarked for the fulfillment of its obligations. The EU agreed to provide a further 3 billion euros by 2018 once Turkey exceeds the above amount.
The Heads of the EU States and Governments shared the view that it is important to further supervise the potential new migration routes and to fight human traffickers. Another priority is to take measures aimed at preserving the Schengen area.
Within the framework of the EU programme for transferring asylum-seekers, six asylum-seekers have been transferred from Greece to Latvia.
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary of the Prime Minister
Phone: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv