The agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey regarding the flow of migrants has been a hot topic since its inception in March 2016. The agreement aims to curb the number of illegal migrants entering EU member states via Turkey by providing a financial incentive to Turkey.

Under the agreement, Turkey agrees to take back all new irregular migrants who cross from Turkey into Greece, including Syrian refugees, in exchange for a total of six billion euros in financial aid from the EU. The aid is intended to help Turkey support the millions of Syrian refugees already living in the country.

The agreement also includes provisions for the resettlement of Syrian refugees from Turkey to EU member states. For every Syrian returned to Turkey from Greece, the EU is committed to resettling one Syrian from Turkey to the EU, up to a maximum of 72,000 people.

The EU claims that the agreement has been successful in reducing the number of illegal crossings into Greece. However, critics argue that Turkey is not a safe country for refugees and that the agreement violates international law by allowing the mass expulsion of refugees without proper due process.

Furthermore, the agreement has faced its share of challenges. In 2017, Turkey threatened to cancel the agreement after the EU refused to provide visa-free travel to Turkish citizens. More recently, in 2019, Turkey threatened to break the agreement in response to the EU’s criticism of Turkey’s military operation in northeast Syria.

Overall, the EU-Turkey migrant agreement is a complex and controversial issue that continues to generate debate and scrutiny. While it has succeeded in reducing illegal crossings into Greece, its impact on the lives and welfare of refugees remains a source of concern for many.