"Today Turkey is the best example in the entire world of how to treat refugees. I am proud that we are partners. There is no other way," Tusk stated, announcing the decision that would hopefully improve the lives of Syrian migrants in the country.
Tusk said at a joint press conference together with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans.
Earlier in the day, Tusk and other EU officials and politicians visited a refugee camp in Nizip, as well as participated in the inauguration of a child protection center in the Gaziantep province on the occasion of the National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkey.
In March, Europe and Turkey agreed on a deal under which Ankara pledged to take back all undocumented migrants who arrive to the European Union through its territory in exchange for Syrian refugees accommodated in Turkey, on a one-for-one basis.
"The way I see it, Turkey has made good progress ahead of decisions to be taken this summer, provided that Turkey meets all the agreed benchmarks," Tusk said.