Photo: DPAAFP · 23 Aug 2016, 11:33Published: 23 Aug 2016 11:33 GMT+02:00German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Tuesday on the EU and North African countries to do deals modelled on a controversial agreement with Turkey to stem migrant flows to Europe. The deal also pledges billions of euros in EU aid for Turkey, visa-free European travel for Turkish citizens and accelerated EU membership talks. Turkey angrily rejects EU criticism that its post-putsch purges might violate rights norms Ankara must meet under the agreement in return for visa-free travel for Turks and accelerated negotiations for bloc membership. Meanwhile, Merkel also urged EU partners to step up to their responsibilities in taking in refugees who had arrived in Greece. Story continues below…Before the EU-Turkey deal took effect, some 45,000 refugees had already arrived in Greece as Macedonia closed its borders to the migrants.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 23, 2016 09:22 UTC