Migration and asylum problems

Two projects supported by the European Union are inaugurated on 11 March 2010 at the Headquarters of the Turkish National Police in Ankara. The projects are the first elements of broader parallel programmes aiming at (1) supporting Turkey’s capacity in combating irregular migration through the establishment of removal centres and (2) establishing a system of reception, screening and accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees.

The European Union is funding € 2.4 million for these two projects which are complementing a larger intervention of Turkey and European Union aiming to construct reception centres and removal centres throughout the country. Each of these centres is designed to host 750 persons and the total value of this investment in reaching € 80 million. These centres will increase the hosting capacity of Turkey considerably and thereby contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Government to establish a system for effective management of asylum and migration.
These twinning projects implemented by officials from the UK, the Netherlands and Greece will, in particular, develop guidelines on how these centres are to be well managed and provide training to staff that will work there. The projects will also develop recommendations for legislative and administrative measures so as to align Turkish legislation and practices with those of the EU.

On the occasion of the opening ceremony, Mr Erwan Marteil, Counsellor of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, said “the EU looks forward to an increased cooperation with Turkey to meet the common challenge of managing migratory flows in line with the principles of join responsibility solidarity and equal partnership, while at the same time respecting the need to guarantee protection to refugees according to international rules. In that context, the EU is keen to support the Turkey in its efforts to implement the ongoing reform process on asylum and migration.”