Migrant deal: EU states back Turkey

EU states have backed an action plan with Turkey, which it is hoped will ease the flow of migrants to Europe.

Nearly 600,000 migrants have reached the EU by sea so far this year, many of them travelling from Turkey.

The leaders agreed to speed up visa liberalisation talks for Turks if Ankara stems the influx and to “re-energise” Turkey’s accession dialogue.

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, said he felt “cautious optimism” over the deal.

Read also: EU to meet over Turkey migrant deal

Meanwhile a migrant thought to be Afghan was shot dead by a Bulgarian border guard after entering the country from Turkey late on Thursday.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov left the Brussels talk on hearing the news.

At Thursday’s summit in Brussels, European leaders agreed to:

Accelerate visa liberalisation for Turks wanting to visit the EU’s borderless Schengen area – if Turkey complies with certain criteria in “re-energised” talks over Turkey joining the EU.

Credit: BBC News

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