72 conditions: ‘No concessions’ to Turkey on migrant deal - France

French President Francois Hollande said Saturday that the EU must not grant Turkey any concessions on human rights or visas in exchange for guarantees to stem the flow of migrants to Europe.

“There cannot be any concessions on the matter of human rights or the criteria for visa liberalisation,” Hollande told reporters ahead of the resumption next week of tough negotiations between Turkey and the EU in Brussels.

Under a controversial draft agreement reached this week, Turkey would take back all migrants landing illegally in Greece in a bid to reduce their incentive to pay people smugglers for dangerous boat crossings to the Greek islands.

In return for every Syrian sent back from Greece, the EU would resettle one Syrian refugee from camps in Turkey — which is hosting about 2.7 million people who have fled the conflict across the border.

The question of human rights in Turkey and visa liberalisation should be “a factor for clarification and transparency in the relations between Turkey and Europe,” Hollande said.

Earlier this week, the French leader said visa liberalisation for Turkish nationals, slated to go into effect in June, would only take place if Ankara met 72 conditions...
 [AFP - kurdishdailynews.org]
13/3/16