EU Commission to propose new refugee funding to Turkey -president

The European Commission will soon make a proposal to Turkey to ensure the flow of funding for refugees, the commission's president said on Tuesday, adding that Europe wants "much better relations" with Ankara but that it is "still early." Speaking in the Turkish capital after a meeting President Tayyip Erdogan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ankara's adherence to a 2016 migrant agreement would be a "major show of goodwill." "The Commission will soon make a proposal that reflects ...

The European Commission will soon make a proposal to Turkey to ensure the flow of funding for refugees, the commission's president said on Tuesday, adding that Europe wants "much better relations" with Ankara but that it is "still early." Speaking in the Turkish capital after a meeting President Tayyip Erdogan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ankara's adherence to a 2016 migrant agreement would be a "major show of goodwill."

"The Commission will soon make a proposal that reflects ... principles" including better opportunities for refugees and a Turkish commitment to prevent irregular departures, she said. "I am very much committed to ensuring the continuity of European funding." Von der Leyen said respect for fundamental rights and rule of law are crucial and that she was deeply worried about Turkey's decision last month to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which aims to protect women from violence.