EU-Turkey Cooperation on Migration Management: Going Beyond Ad-hoc Short-Termism

Within the framework of the Global Turkey in Europe (GTE) project, the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), in collaboration with the Istanbul Policy Centre (IPC) and Stiftung Mercator, organised a study trip on the Greek island of Kos in May of 2019. The visit presented the opportunity to assess policy developments within migration management, an issue which has acquired crucial importance within the EU–Turkey relationship. The event was comprised of a visit to the local Reception and Identification Centre (RIC), where the participants were able to inspect conditions in the Centre and to reach out to the Greek members of the management team and within the Asylum Unit. Those conversations revealed that overcrowding and understaffing constitute the main issues facing the RIC today. Looking at the broader spectrum of EU–Turkey relations on migration, other open issues remain on the table: fairer responsibility sharing between Europe and Turkey, and among EU member states, is still needed, while the route to integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Turkey and in Europe must count on a stronger investment in education.

Report from the field trip and seminar organised in Kos on 6 May 2019 by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) and Stiftung Mercator under the Global Turkey in Europe V programme.