Italy and Germany Are In Favor Of A New Immigration Agreement With Turkey

Italy and Germany have stated that they are in favor of a new immigration agreement with Turkey. Merkel and Draghi expressed their views.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi expressed that they are parties to the renewal of the migration agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey. At the joint press conference held in Berlin last night, Angela Merkel stated that the two countries were affected by the immigration issue in different ways and said, "We agree that the problem should be resolved." Reminding that relations with Turkey will be evaluated at the EU Leaders' Summit to be held in Brussels on 24-25 June, Merkel pointed out that Turkey hosts a large number of refugees and said that Turkey has the right to continue its support. Merkel said that she and Draghi agreed that progress cannot be made on this issue without the support of Turkey. In addition to this development, President Erdogan had a telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, yesterday evening. According to the statement made by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, President Erdogan stated that Turkey has done more than its part and that it is the EU's turn to take concrete steps. Underlining that the provision of visa liberalization is also a step that the Turkish people have been waiting for for a long time, Erdogan stated that the 18 March Agreement should be implemented with all its elements and strengthened.