Istanbul Mayor Criticises EU-Turkey Refugee Agreement

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, has raised substantial objections to the refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey. Known for his critical stance towards the Ankara government, İmamoğlu’s remarks in Düsseldorf shed light on the broader issues surrounding this contentious deal.

İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition politician from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), criticised Europe’s approach, asserting that the EU uses Turkey as a “wall” against refugees. He emphasized, “We cannot subject any country to such injustice,” during a meeting with Turkish businesspeople in Düsseldorf, as reported by the news agency dpa. His comments underscore the perception that Turkey has been unfairly burdened with the role of gatekeeper for Europe.

On my third day in Germany, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Mayors of #Düsseldorf and #Cologne. We agreed on the necessity of developing relations through the associations of municipalities in both countries. Visiting Keup Strasse, known as "Little #Istanbul" in Cologne, I… pic.twitter.com/gN1640zNUJ

— Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) June 20, 2024

The 2016 refugee deal stipulates that Turkey curbs illegal migration into the EU and accepts the return of migrants who reach the Greek Aegean Islands. In return, the EU agreed to take one Syrian refugee from Turkey for each Syrian sent back and pledged several billion euros in support. Despite these terms, the agreement has only been partially effective.

İmamoğlu points out that flawed policies by both Europe and Turkey are at the heart of the current refugee crisis and the lack of a lasting solution. He argues that the refugee issue is a universal problem, not one that Turkey should handle alone. This statement resonates deeply given the significant refugee population Turkey hosts – around 3.6 million according to UNHCR, more than any other country.

İmamoğlu also directed his criticism at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. He accused the Turkish government of reducing the refugee issue to a transaction, blocking refugees’ passage for financial compensation from the EU. This approach, he argued, is detrimental to both the refugees and Turkish citizens.

In the past decade, Istanbul’s population has increased by approximately 2.5 million refugees, now constituting about 17-18% of the city’s population. İmamoğlu noted, “This is unfair to the refugees and also unfair to the people of Istanbul.” The true scale of irregular migration in Turkey remains unknown, exacerbating the problem.

The refugee deal and its shortcomings reflect broader issues in EU-Turkish relations. Turks face significant challenges in obtaining visas to European countries and have been denied EU membership for decades. The recognition disparity between North and South Cyprus adds to the complexity. South Cyprus is an EU member, yet North Cyprus, despite its close cultural ties and peaceful coexistence with the South, is not recognized by any country other than Turkey.

Such unresolved political tensions fuel nationalistic and right-wing movements across Europe, making a peaceful resolution seem distant. İmamoğlu’s critique suggests that Europe needs a new vision. Instead of maintaining policies reminiscent of colonial and militaristic strategies, Europe should strive for peace and humanity, promoting policies that foster global harmony.

İmamoğlu’s comments highlight the pressing need for a new approach to the refugee crisis, one that involves equitable responsibility-sharing and humane policies. The EU and Turkey must work together to address this universal issue, recognising the interconnectedness of their fates and the shared duty to uphold human dignity.