Turkey Promised EU to Keep to Refugee Agreement

The information that Ankara will not prevent illegal migrants wishing to get to Europe has caused concern in the EU. The European Union received assurances from Turkey that Ankara will adhere to agreements with the EU on refugees. This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrel, on Friday, February 28, after a conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Athens and Sofia tightened border controls Earlier that day, after information appeared about Ankara’s intention not to prevent illegal refugees from crossing the border with EU countries, Brussels called on the Turkish authorities to comply with the existing agreements. At the same time, the official representative of the head of EU diplomacy, Peter Stano, said that the EU has no official data on Turkey’s refusal of its obligations to curb migration towards the EU, the relevant messages are being checked. The representative of the Turkish government Fahrettin Altun on February 27 announced that from this moment all refugees are free to cross the border of Turkey with the European Union. According to him, the Turkish authorities had no choice but to soften the policy regarding illegal immigrants who want to get to Europe. A few hours after this statement, hundreds of people on foot and by taxi moved towards the border with Greece and Bulgaria. Under these conditions, Athens and Sofia announced tightening controls at the border. The Greek authorities were forced not only to close one of the border crossings with Turkey, but also to use tear gas to prevent refugees from trying to break into the country. Merkel discussed with Erdogan the situation in Idlib On Friday, German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Merkel "condemned the ruthless attacks on Turkish units and called for an end to the offensive operations of the Syrian regime and its supporters," said the representative of the German government, Steffen Seibert. The Chancellor expressed condolences over the death of Turkish soldiers in the Turkish province of Idlib. "Merkel and Erdogan agreed that it is urgent to agree on a ceasefire and begin the necessary political negotiations as soon as possible," the representative of the German government added. On the eve of the situation in Idlib sharply aggravated. On February 27, 33 Turkish soldiers died there as a result of an air strike by Syrian government forces. The Russian Defense Ministry said the terrorists tried to attack the positions of Syrian government forces in Idlib. During the conflict near the settlement of Behun, Turkish soldiers who were not supposed to be there fell under the shelling of Syrian forces, the department said. The Turkish military on Friday night retaliated against the positions of the Syrian government forces. In connection with the escalation of the situation in the Syrian province, Ankara stated that it expects a new influx of refugees.