I'm cynically amused by remarks from the President of the European Union, Donald Tusk.
Migrants are being sent to Europe as a campaign of “hybrid warfare” in order to force concessions to its neighbours, EU president Donald Tusk has claimed.
An influx of hundreds of thousands of people is a “weapon” and a “political bargaining chip” used by the EU’s neighbours who want to harm the continent, Mr Tusk said.
He made the incendiary comments as the European Union announced it would give an extra one billion euros in aid, and dangled the offer of visa-free travel, to Turkey as part of a charm offensive to encourage the country to close its borders as a major transit route for migrants.
. . .
... there is mounting frustration in Brussels at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s refusal to seal Turkey’s coasts and border wit Greece. Police have stopped just one in seven of the 350,000 people who have crossed since January on a major transit route for those fleeing Syria for the EU, and European leaders are convinced he could easily do more.
Mr Tusk, the president of the European Council, told MEPs that “many of our neighbours look with satisfaction at our troubles”, and were prepared to extract favours in exchange for halting the flow.
. . .
Under a deal struck in Brussels, the EU said it would “step up” the resettlement of refugees from Turkey and help to reinforce the Turkish coast guard to stop the flow of boats over the sea to Greece.
It has been suggested as many as half a million people could be moved from Turkey, but the document does not specify numbers.
. . .
Turkey says it has so far spent more than 6.5 billion euros on providing support to Syrian refugees, and has demanded more help.
However, the deal also makes clear that Turkey’s long-term goal of visa-free travel for 75 million people to Europe depends on it fixing its border, and hints that refusal would put at risk talks to win full EU membership.
There's more at the link.
Turkey has been trying to gain full membership of the European Union for decades. Its path to membership has been blocked every time by senior EU states, particularly Germany, where Turkey seems to have been traditionally regarded as an upstart provider of migrant labor that should be content with the occasional carrot tossed to it, and not get 'uppity' about 'pretending to be European'.
How's that working out for you now, EU politicians and bureaucrats?
Peter
"Mr Tusk, the president of the European Council, told MEPs that 'many of our neighbours look with satisfaction at our troubles'"
ReplyDeleteStarting with people from the northern Med, who've been dealing with this for years and been told to man up.
"Its path to membership has been blocked every time by senior EU states, particularly Germany, where Turkey seems to have been traditionally regarded as an upstart provider of migrant labor"
My understanding is that the children of Turkish citizens born in Germany don't have much chance to become Germans. Considering certain familiar history of _German_ citizens trying to go back after WWII, I lean towards believing that.
Germany entered 2008 with a lot of cred. Sometimes harsh, but trusted. AFAIK, German industries are having trouble exporting, and it's not only a matter of purchasing power. sure, "German quality", but people are, for the first time in a LONG time, _considering_ if they want to buy German. It's apparently shocking.
Take care.
Mexico is acting much like Turkey along our southern border. They complain about the recent illegal alien debate going on in the U.S., yet do not take any steps to stop, detain and prevent OTM (other than Mexican) illegals from crossing their country to enter (invade?) the U.S.
ReplyDeleteOops... Sounds like some folks are about to get a reality check... LOL
ReplyDeleteTook them long enough to catch on . . .
ReplyDeleteLittleRed1
On top of which, 19 EU nations have opted to ban GMO foods.
ReplyDeleteLet them eat Korans.
It is not just Turkey.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think Assad and Putin might be involved too?
Assad drives the rebels out and to Europe. Assad has fewer rebels to fight.
All those refugees in Europe soak up European money and effort. Europe spends less on Defense, and more on social programs. Europeans are distracted by internal problems. Putin and Russia has a freer hand in the near abroad of Eastern Europe. "Ukraine? We have bigger problems in Hamburg/Toulon/Brussels/Malmo!"
All true, but so what? To stop the deluge of illegal immigrants, close the EU borders. Build a frigging fence all around, how hard can it be?
ReplyDeleteStop rescuing people from rubber dinghys. Eventually the deluge will slow to a stream and then a trickle.