Who Gained What? More than a Year since the EU – Turkey ‘Refugee Deal’ was Agreed Upon

Abstract

The refugee deal agreed upon by the European Union and Turkey on March 18, 2016, that is practically a joint declaration only, has been in effect for more than a year. The study is aimed at offering an evaluation of the period since the first refoulment took place on April 4, 2016 and an overview of the Syrian and non-Syrian refugees’ situation in Turkey. It also attempts to shed light on the roots of the debate that has been going on among the European Union, its several member states and Ankara for months now. Furthermore, it reflects on the changes in the Turkey–EU relations after the Turkish constitutional referendum are analyzed, pointing out the likeliness of fulfilling the obligations undertaken in the declaration.