Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent agreement reached between the European Union and Turkey on the refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44388/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On 29 November, the Taoiseach attended an EU heads of state or government meeting with Turkey, at which it was agreed to activate the Joint Action Plan aimed at managing the current refugee and migrant crisis, as well as several further shared commitments and actions. The Joint Action Plan contains short- and medium-term measures to be undertaken by the EU and Turkey to assist Turkey in managing the influx of refugees and to prevent uncontrolled migratory flows from Turkey to the EU. As part of this, the EU has agreed to provide a financial package worth an additional €3 billion, with the establishment of a ‘Refugee Facility for Turkey’ to coordinate and streamline actions financed by this package. Turkey, for its part, has committed to implement immediately actions to stem the flow of irregular refugees and migrants to the EU and to improve the situation of refugees and migrants under temporary protection in Turkey. The EU and Turkey have also agreed to further steps on re-admission agreements and visa-liberalisation. In addition, the EU has agreed to re-energise Turkey’s accession process, and it is expected that Chapter 17 of the acquis communautaire, covering economic and monetary policies, will be opened this month. Turkey and the EU also agreed to explore further the great potential of EU-Turkey relations and to maintain regular and enhanced dialogue through more frequent summits and high-level political meetings. For example, the Turkish Foreign Minister has been invited to participate in a working lunch with EU Foreign Ministers at the next Foreign Affairs Council.

Ireland has supported the renewed and intensified engagement between the EU and Turkey in recent months, including the outcomes of the 29 November meeting, and the Joint Action Plan. The relationship between the EU and Turkey is important, not only in the context of the migration crisis and because of Turkey’s status as an EU candidate country: increased cooperation with Turkey will also be critical in any political and diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Syria, a primary root cause of the current migration crisis, as well as in the fight against terrorism.

At the same time, the EU and Member States will continue our dialogue with Turkey in relation to ongoing concerns at the internal situation in Turkey, including with regard to freedom of expression and the media.