Page 341 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

requires that the countries that refugees are sent back should be safe
places where refugees' rights are guaranteed in an environment of
democracy and good living standards. At the moment, this safe place
is Turkey and ensuring such conditions with the support of EU is a great
opportunity for Turkey. Turkey has already accepted 2.5 million
refugees without any hesitation and gave an unforgettable lesson to
the whole world in the process. That welcoming attitude will make us

eternally proud of our country. However, it is true that Turkey was
caught off guard by the sudden influx of refugees. Overcoming prob-
lems and providing necessary means and rights to the refugees, which
they fully deserve, with the support of EU, is something we have
wanted and expected all along.

Based on the commitments of Europe, refugees shall be placed in safe zones; their
rights to live shall be guaranteed with the necessary aid to be provided to them. The
said agreement specifies this safe zone as Turkey. For that reason, if Europe is deter-
mined not to let refugees cross their borders, the necessary aid for refugees should
be provided to Turkey at once.

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