EU insists Turkey safe harbor for migrants despite Greek court ruling

PanARMENIAN.Net - European Union nations say Turkey is a safe country for migrants to be returned to despite some Greek court rulings that people should not be sent back there, the Associated Press reports.

Dutch Migration Minister Klaas Dijkhoff said Friday, June 10 after chairing EU talks in Luxembourg that "we consider Turkey safe for returning migrants."

He said "there is no blanket decision by the Greek authorities that it is always possible, or never," for people to be sent back. Dijkhoff said that means Turkey cannot be considered unsafe.

The EU and Turkey have agreed that all migrants arriving on the Greek islands after March 20 can be sent back, unless they have a right to asylum in Greece, AP says.

The EU has offered Ankara a large package of incentives to stop people reaching Europe.