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Germany, Turkey agree on closer cooperation on refugee issue

Xinhua, January 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

German and Turkey have agreed to cooperate more closely on the refugee issue, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday after talks with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The two countries have held their first intergovernmental consultations in Berlin. The refugee crisis and terror activities of the Islamic State (IS) dominated Friday's talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Merkel said both Turkey and Germany believed that challenges posted by the record refugee influx could only be met with common efforts, and that human traffickers, who are active between Turkey and Greece, must be stopped.

The Turkish side, according to the chancellor, has emphasized its commitment to undertaking all possible efforts to reduce the number of refugees coming to Europe.

Merkel once again assured Davutoglu that the EU would provide the agreed 3 billion euros, which will be used to support projects for helping refugees. She also emphasized that initiating a peace process in Syria would be an important step in resolving the current refugee crisis.

As for the fight against terrorism, both Germany and Turkey are ready to intensify their cooperation against the IS, Merkel said.

For his part, Davutoglu reaffirmed his country's close ties with Germany and said Ankara was working hand in hand with Berlin in the fight against the IS in Syria and Iraq. He also praised Germany's support by deploying Tornados.

Friday's talks were key for Merkel, who faces intense pressure at home to impose a cap on Germany's refugee intake at a time when European public opinion is hardening against asylum seekers.

Merkel has described Turkey, a key transit country for migrants leaving Iraq and Syria and coming to Europe through Greece, as crucial to any solution to the refugee crisis.

EU countries signed an agreement with Turkey in November to resolve the crisis and to help Ankara deal with the migrant problem within its territory. Turkey in turn expects discussions facilitating its entry into the EU and a visa waiver for its citizens traveling to Europe. Enditem