Home > Current Affairs News > Reaction from renowned economist to the European Union's 1 billion euro grant to Turkey: 'They can write it openly'

Reaction from renowned economist to the European Union's 1 billion euro grant to Turkey: 'They can write it openly'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that an additional 1 billion euro grant will be provided to Turkey for 2024, emphasizing the importance of relations between Turkey and the EU. In a post on her official social media account, Von der Leyen stated that this amount would be provided to support Turkey's efforts to host Syrian refugees.

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In her post, Von der Leyen emphasized that Turkey is an important partner for the EU and stated that economic relations between the two sides have been strengthening with each passing year.

The statement also noted that the EU attaches great importance to its cooperation with Turkey in the field of migration.

The support in question is a continuation of the financial aid provided by the EU within the framework of the “Migration Statement” signed with Turkey in 2016.

Under this agreement, the EU had committed to providing financial support to meet the housing, education, health, and other needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey.

On the other hand, the issue has sparked debate in Turkish public opinion.

Economist Dr. Murat Kubilay, in a post on his social media account, stated that Turkey's assets and future are being used in line with the interests of the government, and pointed out that the financial support in question could negatively affect Turkey's demographic structure and economic future.

Dr. Kubilay criticized the EU Commission President for using the phrase “we are sending another 1 billion dollars” while announcing the financial aid, and reacted to this situation being seen as a normalized stance in the international arena with the following words:

"It has become so normalized for the government to market our country's assets for its own interests or to hold our future hostage in every aspect, including demographics, that the EU Commission President can openly write in her tweet about the visit that we are sending another 1 billion dollars"