Today in Tallinn, the Estonian and Turkish Ministries of Foreign Affairs held consultations on migration.
“Estonia sees fulfilling the migration agreement between the EU and Turkey as a very important element in solving the migration crisis,” said Aino Lepik von Wirén, Director General of the Department of Europe and Transatlantic cooperation who led the Estonian delegation. “We appreciate Turkey’s contribution to offering shelter to almost three million Syrian refugees in Turkey and holding back illegal immigration to the EU,“ Lepik von Wirén added.
Lepik von Wirén emphasised that the EU also honours and fulfils the duties taken in connection with the migration crisis and relocation of migrants. She pointed out that from €3 billion meant for the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, €2,2 billion have been allocated this year to support both humanitarian aid as well as to build social and educational infrastructure and offer these services in the regions of Turkey where the proportion of migrants is very high. Also, 2343 Syrian refugees have been relocated from Turkey to the EU, including 11 to Estonia after the EU-Turkey migration agreement was signed on 18 March. Estonian adjustment program for resettled and relocated people was also introduced during the consultations.
Lepik von Wirén repeated again that Estonia has condemned the attempted coup in Turkey and expressed support for Turkey’s democratically elected constitutional institutions and she emphasised how important it is to guarantee the freedom of information, assembly and expression in the country and also political diversity.
The Turkish delegation was led by Ambassador Mehmet Samsar, Foreign Ministry’s Director General of Consular Affairs.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry/albums/72157673026921264
Additional information:
Sten Juur
Communication Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(+372) 637 7627
(+372) 5824 6622
www.vm.ee
[email protected]