MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to Timmermans, the bloc will provide support to both Greece and Turkey in implementing the necessary changes.
"Member States also need to be satisfied that the safe third country [where a refugee arrived] will respect a set of standards concerning fundamental rights, non-discrimination and respect for international law. Applying these changes seems to require changes to both Greek and Turkish domestic legislation," Timmermans said, speaking at a Commission meeting.
Turkey demanded additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) from the European Union to deal with migrants on top of the previous 3 billion-euro EU pledge, offering to take back all undocumented migrants in exchange for documented Syrian refugees seeking to enter Europe on a one-for-one basis.
On Tuesday, the European Council adopted a regulation setting up a mechanism to provide emergency support to Greece, which is the main transit route for refugees coming across the Aegean Sea from Turkey, and other EU member states that are overwhelmed by the massive migrant inflow.
