March 2017: The Commission will publish the 5th Report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement

The news:

In March 2017, the European Commission will present the 5th Report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement, summarising the progress made in the implementation of the Statement since it took effect on 20 March and developments having taken place since the last report published on 8 December 2016.

The background:

The aim of the EU-Turkey Statement, agreed on 18 March 2016, is to replace disorganised, chaotic, irregular and dangerous migratory flows by organised, safe and legal pathways to Europe for those entitled to international protection in line with EU and international law. A core goal of the Statement has been to break the business model of smugglers exploiting migrants and refugees taking the potentially fatal risk of crossing irregularly from Turkey to Greece.

The sources:

Fourth Report on the progress made in the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement

Annex 1: Joint Action Plan

EU-Turkey Statement of 18 March

Implementing the EU-Turkey Statement - Questions and Answers

Press release (8 December 2016): Commission reports on progress made under the European Agenda on Migration

AGENDA/17/292