Berlin – ESI at the Think 20 Summit "Global Solutions"

29 May 2017
Photo: T20 Global Solutions
Photo: T20 Global Solutions

ESI's Gerald Knaus participated in the Think 20 Summit "Global Solutions" in Berlin where he spoke at the panel "Lessons from the EU-Turkey Migration Deal" together with Saime Özçürümez, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Bilkent University, Karl Kopp, European Representative, PRO ASYL, and Mehmet Simşek, Deputy Prime-Minister, Turkish Government.

Gerald argued that public support is essential to make the EU-Turkey migration deal sustainable. While an agreement with Turkey was the right way to go, agreements with countries like Libya are unacceptable, when there are no or unstable governments to deal with. However, there is a moral, political, and legal obligation to save people at sea. He emphasised that policies need to preserve the Schengen agreement, protect migrants, and strengthen relations with Africa. Most importantly, the EU needs to negotiate readmission agreements with countries of origin, not countries of transit, as they may not want to take back non-nationals.