01:27Turkey: Refugees gather at Istanbul terminal hoping for passage to N. Europe
Thousands of Syrian refugees attempting to reach Greece from the Turkish northwestern province of Edirne gathered at Bayrampasa bus station in Istanbul, Tuesday.
While Turkey currently hosts an estimated two million Syrians, large numbers of the refugees are attempting to reach northern countries of the European Union. The movement of refugees to Western Europe has increased following German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s announcement that Berlin would increase the number of Syrians offered documentation and residence in Germany.
Public outcry over the handling of over 500,000 migrants and refugees arriving in Europe this year has forced EU leaders to discuss the politico-economic union’s response to the current crisis. Member states have agreed to resettle an estimated eight percent of the number of refugees arriving in Europe, with leaders consenting to accommodate just 40,000 who have arrived in Greece and Italy.
Brussels is yet to agree on redistributing higher figures, with member states rejecting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s suggestion that the EU spread 120,000 refugees within its borders.
01:27Thousands of Syrian refugees attempting to reach Greece from the Turkish northwestern province of Edirne gathered at Bayrampasa bus station in Istanbul, Tuesday.
While Turkey currently hosts an estimated two million Syrians, large numbers of the refugees are attempting to reach northern countries of the European Union. The movement of refugees to Western Europe has increased following German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s announcement that Berlin would increase the number of Syrians offered documentation and residence in Germany.
Public outcry over the handling of over 500,000 migrants and refugees arriving in Europe this year has forced EU leaders to discuss the politico-economic union’s response to the current crisis. Member states have agreed to resettle an estimated eight percent of the number of refugees arriving in Europe, with leaders consenting to accommodate just 40,000 who have arrived in Greece and Italy.
Brussels is yet to agree on redistributing higher figures, with member states rejecting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s suggestion that the EU spread 120,000 refugees within its borders.