Merkel looks to Turkey for help to deal with migrant crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will press Turkey to step up to its "key role" in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, when she hosts Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for talks Friday. 


Germany and Turkey have emerged as key players in the biggest migration crisis to rock Europe since World War II, and both parties will seek to drive a hard bargain at the talks between the two countries' cabinets. 


With the meeting coming on the heels of last week's attack in Istanbul that killed 10 German tourists, discussions would also invariably focus on the international battle against the Islamic State group, Merkel's spokesman said. 


The outcome of Friday's meeting is not only important for Merkel, who faces intense pressure at home to impose a cap on Germany's refugee intake, but it will also have resonance across Europe where public opinion is hardening against a record asylum seeker influx. 


Merkel has so far faced down domestic demands for a quota, after nearly 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany in 2015. 


She has instead promised a "tangible reduction" in new arrivals, and is counting on international efforts to deliver. 


Turkey plays a pivotal role as it is a launchpad for thousands of people making the dangerous sea journey on rubber boats to Europe. 


"Stopping the refugee influx will be a topic at the government consultations," Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen confirmed Thursday during a visit to Turkey

Source: NNA