Agencies, Gaziantep :
The German chancellor has sought the creation of “safe zones” to shelter refugees inside Syria, a proposal criticised by the UN and rights groups. Speaking at a university in the city of Gaziantep, Angela Merkel called for “zones where the ceasefire is particularly enforced and where a significant level of security can be guaranteed”.
Keeping people displaced from their homes on the Syrian side of the border would help the 28-nation bloc and Turkey, which hosts 2.7 million Syrian refugees, stem the flow of refugees to European shores.
Merkel, who visited Nizip refugee camp near the Syria border along with senior EU leaders on Saturday, heaped praise on Turkey for its efforts at the camp.
“Our goal is not only to stop illegal migration, but for refugees to have more opportunities near their home,” Merkel said.
The UN has warned against the safe-zone plan unless there was a way to guarantee the refugees’ safety in the war-torn state. Aid workers have also opposed it.
A ceasefire between the Syrian government and rebel groups in place since February end has faltered, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee the fighting.
But they are not allowed to cross into Turkey, and instead are camped near the Azaz border crossing where local agencies offer humanitarian support.
Turkey only allows critically injured Syrians to enter the country where more than 2.7 million refugees are registered.
EU leaders have faced criticism for striking a deal last month with Turkey under which Ankara would get a package of incentives – from billions in refugee aid to progress on visa-free access to the bloc for Turkish citizens – in exchange for help in returning refugees.
The deal to send back thousands of refugees and migrants from the Greek islands to Turkey has been dubbed as immoral and a violation of international humanitarian law. Rights groups say Turkey is not a country where returnees can be guaranteed proper protection.
The German chancellor has sought the creation of “safe zones” to shelter refugees inside Syria, a proposal criticised by the UN and rights groups. Speaking at a university in the city of Gaziantep, Angela Merkel called for “zones where the ceasefire is particularly enforced and where a significant level of security can be guaranteed”.
Keeping people displaced from their homes on the Syrian side of the border would help the 28-nation bloc and Turkey, which hosts 2.7 million Syrian refugees, stem the flow of refugees to European shores.
Merkel, who visited Nizip refugee camp near the Syria border along with senior EU leaders on Saturday, heaped praise on Turkey for its efforts at the camp.
“Our goal is not only to stop illegal migration, but for refugees to have more opportunities near their home,” Merkel said.
The UN has warned against the safe-zone plan unless there was a way to guarantee the refugees’ safety in the war-torn state. Aid workers have also opposed it.
A ceasefire between the Syrian government and rebel groups in place since February end has faltered, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee the fighting.
But they are not allowed to cross into Turkey, and instead are camped near the Azaz border crossing where local agencies offer humanitarian support.
Turkey only allows critically injured Syrians to enter the country where more than 2.7 million refugees are registered.
EU leaders have faced criticism for striking a deal last month with Turkey under which Ankara would get a package of incentives – from billions in refugee aid to progress on visa-free access to the bloc for Turkish citizens – in exchange for help in returning refugees.
The deal to send back thousands of refugees and migrants from the Greek islands to Turkey has been dubbed as immoral and a violation of international humanitarian law. Rights groups say Turkey is not a country where returnees can be guaranteed proper protection.
