EP LIBE Delegation mission to Turkey: Visit to refugee camp and statement by Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D,FR) , Head of the EP LIBE Delegation

statement

visit

EU - Türkiye (T)

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

EP delegation

FAJON, Tanja (S&D, SI)

situation of Syrian refugees (T)

GRIESBECK, Nathalie (ALDE, FR)

ENGEL, Frank (EPP, LU)

CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria (EPP, SE)

GUILLAUME, Sylvie (S&D, FR)

NIEDERMÜLLER, Péter (S&D, HU)

Türkiye

NAGY, József (EPP, SK)

EP LIBE Delegation mission to Turkey: Visit to refugee camp and statement by Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&D,FR) , Head of the EP LIBE Delegation

Exterior shots at NIZIP, Refugee camp in Turkey, Turkish flag.

General views of the camp; oustide and inside shots.

Clinic, woman and baby on a consultation.

SOUNDBITE (French), Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D, FR), Chair of the LIBE Delegation, On the first impressions: hard conditions for the refugees, especially those living on the tents area which is the most precarious one: "We can see the good intentions of the camp authorities and the Turkish authorities to improve the living conditions of the refugees, and there are some facilities, 2 hospitals, supermarkets, schools... so we see a real intention to cover the basic needs; but the living conditions of the 15 000 people living here, 5000 in the containers and 10 000 people living on the tents, are still very difficult and precarious.

SOUNDBITE (French), Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D, FR), Chair of the LIBE Delegation, Our message is a message of understanding and acknowledgment of the efforts made by Turkish authorities and by local communities which are much sought. Turkish population is confronted to this presence of refugees, or 'guests' as they call them here. There is also a message of understanding of the difficult situation of the refugee population, as some of the families are here for more than 4 years, there are children that have been born here; there are actually more children here than any other age category. So our message is a message of support, and of interest that the EU must show towards these refugees which we have to keep helping. We also want to send a message to EU institutions and EU member states: the situation is far from finished, far from being stable, some kilometres away from here there is a border, and there is extreme pressure, with 45,000 Syrians fleeing from the bombs in Aleppo, fleeing death and confinement. So we have to end with the trend on national egoisms and show solidarity to those seeking for a better life.

SOUNDBITE (French), Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&amp;D, FR), Chair of the LIBE Delegation, On the deal with Turkey, which is maybe not the perfect one, but as there is a real need for the help of Turkey, we need to continue and implement this deal. I know there is a lack of solidarity from the member states, among each other and also with Turkey. There are things to be improved, especially what is related to the support of vulnerable groups, minorities and the access to labour market and training, so the refugees are given a chance of life projection. We have said so to Turkish authorities and we have, overall, come here to see the situation on the ground.