Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the €3 billion in aid for Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is referring to the financial elements of the recently published draft ‘Action Plan on Turkey’.

Turkey is a very important partner for all of us in the European Union, and a key partner as we all frame our collective response to the current migration crisis. As host to well over two million refugees, Turkey is particularly important to any resolution to this crisis and, in this regard, it is important that the EU and Turkey formulate a coordinated and collaborative plan of action.

This has been clearly recognised in the Joint EU-Turkey Action Plan, presented by President Juncker on 5 October and welcomed at the European Council on 17 October.

The Action Plan contains both short-term and medium term measures, and focusses on: (a) supporting the refugees and their host communities in Turkey and (b) strengthening cooperation to prevent irregular migration flows to the EU.

It is expected to constitute an integral part of the on-going political dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Turkey.

Clearly, the financial aspects of the plan are critical: the Turkish Government estimates that it has spent almost $8 billion US dollars on the refugee issue since the beginning of the crisis. As part of the effort to share the burden, the EU has committed to allocated additional funding to Turkey, in a sustained manner. The funds will be mobilised in the most flexible and rapid way possible, including through the EU Trust Fund for the Syrian crisis. Priority will be given to providing immediate humanitarian assistance and to enhancing self-sufficiency and social inclusion of refugees, as well as to supporting host communities.

The EU intends to proceed with a comprehensive joint needs assessment as a basis for programming funding, and the details of any financial package are under active discussion.