№136: From Blame Game to Cooperation: EU-Turkey Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
№136: From Blame Game to Cooperation: EU-Turkey Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Author(s): Pinar Elman
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Sociology, Migration Studies
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Syria; Turkey; migration; immigrants
Summary/Abstract: Turkey has generously opened its borders to some two million refugees fleeing the war in Syria. Butmost Syrians in Turkey live in limbo, some in dire conditions, and many have sought refuge in the EUsimply to subsist to survive. Preventing an uncontrolled flow of refugees to the EU requires addressingtheir destitute state and providing them with the possibility to flourish—a responsibility that both theEU and Turkey have avoided until now. At the same time, even with increased international funding,the refugee challenge may be beyond Turkey’s capacity. The EU’s recent response is a positive stepbut is unlikely to suffice in preventing further tragedies. The EU must adopt a genuine policy on thematter, taking into account the two dimensions of Turkey’s reality as both a host and transit countryfor refugees.
Series: PISM Policy Papers
- Page Count: 8
- Publication Year: 2015
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF
