The refugee crisis between Turkey and the European Union continues growing since Turkey decided to open its gates for refugees to leave for Europe after the killing of dozens of soldiers in Syria's Idlib last week.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that he no longer feels bound by a 2016 deal to hold refugees in Turkey in exchange for billions in EU cash.
“Hundreds of thousands have crossed (into the EU), soon it will reach millions," he said Monday.
Speaking to the press in German capital Berlin on Monday, EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said “nobody can blackmail and intimidate the European Union.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday it was “unacceptable" for Turkey to pressure the EU “on the backs of refugees" as thousands, some fleeing fighting in northern Syria, sought to enter the bloc.
“I find it completely unacceptable that… President Erdogan and his government did not bring their dissatisfaction to us at the EU, but instead duked it out on the backs of refugees," Merkel told a Berlin press conference, while acknowledging the “additional burden" on Turkey.
German's foreign ministry cited reports from the European Commission and International Organization for Migration that said between 7,000 and 13,000 people remained camped on the Turkish side.
“For me the option is that we talk to Turkey so that we get back to the situation we had before, namely that Turkey fulfils its obligations with our support, even as the burden has grown," Merkel said.
