EU to offer Turkey three billion euros to host Syrian refugees

European Union leaders intend to sign an agreement with Turkey today in Brussels that will offer Ankara money and closer ties with the EU in exchange for Turkish assistance in stopping the migrant wave, reports the Patria News Agency.

Aware that Europe is desperately seeking a solution to the crisis that is tearing it apart after the arrival of nearly a million people this year, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expects a lot, and diplomats said that the 28 countries have been working on the final offer all Saturday.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is scheduled to meet with EU leaders, including Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović, at 4 PM, and the meeting is expected to last three hours.

Europeans are under pressure, especially German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to find a solution to the largest influx of people since World War II, most of whom have arrived in Germany.

The EU will offer Turkey three billion euros for the next year or two to improve the living conditions for the 2.3 million Syrians currently living in Turkey, in the hope that they will not want to go to Europe.

Also on offer is the easing of visa requirements if Turkey slows down the influx of migrants, and the revival of accession negotiations with Ankara, provided that it convinces those countries that do not want Turkey to ever become an EU member.

Late Saturday evening, after a meeting of EU envoys in Brussels, diplomats said that a joint EU offer had been agreed upon, which they hope will receive Davutoglu's signature. The offer should be approved by governments on Sunday before the summit.

However, there is nervousness that Turkey might ask for more, especially after Erdogan's decision not to attend the meeting himself but to send the prime minister.

"The Turks always negotiate until the last second," said a senior EU diplomat. "Why would this time be any different?"