Abstract

Facing one of its most serious crisis since its creation, the EU has seen the cooperation with Turkey as the last resort attempt to save one of the symbol of the European Integration, the free movement Area. The domino effect of the 'closing borders' from Denmark towards the Balkan route made the co-operation with Turkey «to stem the flows» a dossier to deal with it a matter of urgency. Dialogues and meetings with the Turkey Prime minister started to be held periodically in order to agree a deal on a common strategy to returns irregular migrants and asylum seekers, readmit Syrians coming from Turkey, support Turkey as a host country for refugees and step up on the other open negotiations on visa liberalisation and accession. The legal nature of this deal, the measures on return of asylum seekers, the qualification of Turkey as a safe country and the leading role played by Head of States and Governments are the most controversial issues raised by this cooperation.