First migrants returned to Turkey from Greece under EU deal

World Today

The first group of refugees has been sent from Greece back to Turkey, part of a recent deal between the European Union and Turkey.

CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports.

Three boats carrying refugees left the Greek island of Lesbos and arrived to Turkey’s southern town of Dikili Monday morning, in accordance with the refugee deal inked between the EU and Ankara. Many of the refugees were from Iraq, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister announced once Turkey begins receiving Syrian nationals back from Greece, the one-for-one factor of the EU deal will be initiated and the EU will be expected to take an equal number of Syrian refugees from Turkey.


EU’s controversial migrant exchange deal implemented

As refugees return to Turkey, the movement of migrants is subsiding in other places. But critics are still worried about the future of the deal between Turkey and the EU.

CCTV’s Guy Henderson reports from Berlin.

The migrant exchange plan has been called controversial: the borders to the Balkans have been closed, and no refugees are entering Germany through Hungary. Many are wondering if the new plan is enough to make a difference.

The plan to save Europe’s open borders is progressing slowly – 32 refugees arrived in Germany Monday by plane. In return, Ankara took back a few hundred failed asylum seekers from Greece.

While European officials remained optimistic about the plan, the measures have been heavily criticized by rights groups and EU states have shown doubts of the proposal.


Michel Gabaudan on refugee crisis

CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes interviewed Michel Gabaudan, president of Refugees International about the refugee crisis.