EU pledges 1 billion euro by summer for Syrian refugees in Turkey. Support to Turkey's demand for establishment of special security zones in Syria

The European Union (EU) would spend one billion euros (about $1.12 billion) by July for projects aiming to improve the living condition of Syrian migrants in Turkey, EU Deputy Commissioner Frans Timmermans said Saturday.

After visiting Nizip 1 camp and child protection center in Turkey's southeastern Gaziantep province bordering Syria, Timmermans said the biggest challenge is the education of Syrians, hailing Turkey's efforts as the "best example" on how refugees should be treated.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and top EU officials visited Syrian refugees living in a camp near the Turkish-Syrian border, and had discussions with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu about implementation of a deal aimed at stemming the flow of migrants into Europe and keeping the Schengen area safe.

"We'll meet our obligations about Syrian migrants," Merkel said after visiting the camp in the same province.

Merkel was accompanied by the president of the EU Council, Donald Tusk, and Timmermans to inaugurate the EU aid program for Syrians in Turkey.

The German chancellor said education is a major issue for the 370,000 Syrian migrants taking shelter in Gaziantep, and all Syrian children in Gaziantep would be able to have education provided with EU funds.

Germany would also contribute to a cease-fire in Syria, Merkel said, though it was not being implemented properly. She also lent support to Turkey's demand for establishment of special security zones in Syria near the border...
 [Xinhua - globaltimes.cn]
24/4/16
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Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu(L), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and top EU officials are welcomed while they visit a local Syrian refugees camp in Gaziantep in Turkey on April 23, 2016. Merkel and top EU officials arrived in Gaziantep on Saturday as part of the one-day visit to the border town to discuss migrant crisis and the EU-Turkey deal.
   Photo: Xinhua