The joint action plan between the republic of Turkey and the European Union : a critical appraisal

Abstract

The outbreak of the 'Arab Spring' in 2010 has extended its effects into the Southern Mediterranean neighbourhood; afflicting Europe with the largest global population displacement since the Second World War. The conflict, now concentrated in Syria, continues to spread across the borders of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. In its early years, millions of Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers sought refuge in Southern neighboring states, which consequently increased the inability for host countries to financially sustain the large influxes as the Syrian conflict persisted. Migrants have sought for more promising and permanent means of refuge. Set out on the path to Europe, smugglers took further advantage of their vulnerability. As a global power and neighbour, the European Union (EU) has been responding to such unfolding events by supporting measures aimed at assisting refugees fleeing from areas of conflict. Hopeful for a successful solution to the immigration crisis, the EU has taken an innovative approach in its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) by focusing on deepening political democracies on a 'more-for-more' principle, by promoting inclusive growth and civil society partnerships with respect to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. While EU states foster a large majority of Syrian asylum-seekers, the EU has sought for a strategic co-ordination with Turkey - a country that has adopted an intermediary role among the states involved in the Syrian conflict. Based on parallel regional migration deals of the Union 1, on the basis of regionalized governance, the 18 March EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan (2016) aimed to bring about order to chaos: by eradicating sea smuggling networks, and settling Syrian nationals in European Member States and Associate countries, through a one-to-one framework.