“We have reached an agreement”: Tusk at EU-Turkey summit

Turkey will help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed talks on joining the European Union in a deal struck Sunday that the Turkish prime minister called a “new beginning” for the uneasy neighbors.

Summit chairman Donald Tusk, however, stressed that the meeting was primarily about stemming the flow of migrants.

European Union government chiefs met Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels on Sunday as they attempted to implore Turkey to help deal with the fallout from turmoil in Syria and the rest of the Middle East.

He noted however that the country is not the only key to solving the migration crisis.

The main objective of the negotiations was to secure greater guarantees from President Tayyip Erdogan with a view to curbing the now constant flow of migrants from Turkey to the Greek coasts, on their way ultimately to northern Europe.

Mr Davutoglu said it was a “historic day” and vowed that his country would keep its promises, in the face of scepticism from some countries in the 28-member EU.

“I am thankful to all European leaders for this new beginning, which is not just a beginning of a meeting but the beginning of a new process, which is very important for the future of our common bond in Europe”, he said.

“The issue hasn’t changed”, according to François Hollande, the president of France who told the press after leaving the summit to go back to the French Capital for other commitments.

The EU has also pledged visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the Schengen zone by October 2016 and to relaunch talks on Turkey’s EU membership process.

David Cameron said: “This summit matters because we need a comprehensive solution to the migrant crisis in Europe and obviously that involves Turkey”.

Migrants and refugees have crossed the sea from Turkey into Greece in the thousands in recent months, making Greece’s eastern islands, one of the main entry points for the biggest influx of migrants since the end of World War II. The crisis has helped populist opponents and set nations against each other, straining the open borders of the EU.

“We expect the Turkish government to fight human smuggling and trafficking networks effectively on its territory, including through its coast guard”, said Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament.

The summit between European Union leaders and Turkey was organised at Turkey’s behest, following demands from Ankara of a high price for Turkish cooperation in the refugee crisis. “However, I note that we are not softening the fundamental criteria”, he said.

The EU agrees to provide “an initial” €3 billion ($3.18bn) over two years for Turkey to better cater for the needs of 2.2 million Syrian refugees in the country.

He said: “Britain will continue to play our role, which is about supporting Syrian refugees in the refugee camps and in Turkey”. “As Turkey shows its commitments for refugees the money will be distributed”. Last week, two more opposition journalists were jailed in Turkey.