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             Merkel Heads to Turkey to Try and Save EU Migrant Deal

   by VOA News

   German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European Union officials will
   travel to Turkey this weekend to try to smooth over tensions that have
   arisen since the two sides signed a deal last month to curb the number
   of migrants pouring into Europe.

   Under the month-old, nearly $7 billion deal, migrants arriving on the
   shores of Greece would be returned to Turkey and in exchange, Turks
   would, among other things, be allowed to travel to Europe without
   acquiring a visa.

   The deal, which went into effect three weeks ago, initially served to
   slow the number of migrants entering Greece illegally. But recently
   boats have started arriving in Greece with about 150 people per day,
   according to the International Organization for Migration.

   Diplomatic relations have wavered after Turkish President Recep Tayyip
   Erdogan's warning that his country would break the deal if the EU did
   not keep up its end of the bargain by allowing visa-free travel for
   Turkish citizens.

   Merkel and other diplomats promised to present a visa recommendation
   next, but only if Turkey keeps up its side of the agreement and
   provides safe asylum for refugees.

   Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have accused the
   Turkish military of illegally shooting at Syrian refugees and sending
   them back to their war-torn country.

   On Friday, Amnesty urged the European delegation not to "close their
   eyes to the catalogue of human rights abuses faced by refugees" in
   Turkey.

   While in Turkey, Merkel and the delegation are scheduled to meet with
   refugees and visit a child protection center before holding a joint
   news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and
   negotiating the deal further behind closed doors.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-merkel/3299508.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-merkel/3299508.html