newsitems

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking after a very Critical EU Parliament's Debate last week in Strasbourg, and just a few Days before Key Contacts at an International Summit in Istanbul (Constantinople) next Monday, May 23, a Frontrunner for Crucial Presidential Elections in Less than a Year in France, Head of mainstream Opposition "Republican" Party, Experiened former President of the Country, Nicolas Sarkozy, Denounced Strongly the Controversial and UnPopular EU-Turkey Deal to Give a "Visa-Free" status to 80 Millions of Turks from June (or October) 2016, as Contrary to Europe's Values and current Needs to Fae the Migrants' Crisis and Security Issues, as well as Not to Yield to "Blackmail", which Risks to Alienate further EU Citizens vis a vis EU Institutions.

    Sarkozy's Move came immediately after the Publication of an EU Commission's Report in Brussels, Warning of possible "Security Risks" if that "Visa-Free" Deal for all the Turkish Population entered into force, and just 4 Days Before Crucial Presidential Elections in Austria, on Sunday, May 22, where the Candidate of Rightist Party "FPÖ", linked to French Rightists of the "National Front", after Winning the 1st Round on April, (where a Governing "GroKo" by former mainstream Parties was crashed, and bypassed even by a "Green" candidate), he might reportedly win also this Final, 2nd Round, for the 1st Time in the History of this Central EU Member Country, with an obviously possible Impact also on several Other EU Countries where various Rightist Parties are notoriously rising recently.

    It unfolded in a Series of Public Statements made at an Interview to "Le Monde" Newspaper, followed by a Speech at a Meeting of the"Republican" Party and EU Politicians for Debate and Consultation on its Project for Europe, as well as in a Discussion at "France Inter" Radio, later that same Day, etc.

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    - Sarkozy denounced as"Senseless" the Idea to Drop Visas for 80 Millions of Turks, at this moment of Migratory pressures", during his Wednesday Speech :

    - "As for that Foolish Idea to Drop Visas for 8O Millions of Turks, in the current Migration and Security Climate, one Wonders whether some People really Think, or not, at least with a Minimum of Common Sense", he Criticized,

    - Because, "in the Context of Today, Suppress Visas for 80 Millions of Turks is Particularly Nonsense".

    - "Give Visas for Turkish Businessmen, for Studens, we can Discuss it. There is No Problem", he conceded.

    - "But, Yield to Mr. Erdogan's Blacmail, especialy Now, on the Pretext that we (EU) would Need the Turks in order to Manage one of the Consequences of Syria's Collapse ?", he questioned.

    - "It's a Blackmail, end we (EU) must Not Yield to Blackmails !", Firmly stressed Sarkozy.

     - "It's not the fact to have some "HotSpots" in Turkey, that I Contest in the Agreemet (of the EU) with that Country"

    - " It's the Suppression of "Visas", which is Irresponsible", particularly "in the Current Climate about Security" Issues, "and the ReLaunching of (EU) Accession Negotiations", which is "Incomprehensible", "considering (also) the (recent) developments on the Turkish Authorities vis a vis Democratic Freedoms", he stressed.

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    - in an Interview published Yesterday, on Tuesday 17 May,  Reacting to Center-Left Newspaper "Le Monde"'s obviously provocative Claim that "the EU - Turkey Deal" would "be Successful", he Denied that :

    - "No", Sarkozy sharply Replied. "Can Europe Trust a Turkish Government which evolves, more and more, towards an Authoritarian regime ? I Contest that".

    + Moreover, "We (EU) shouldn't Confuse what is Circumstancial, with what is Structural". F.ex., "Syria"s collapse provokes a Population Influx towards Europe. Moreover, Afrika is going to Double its Population in 30 Years. Believe that Turkey could manage and solve these Problems in a Sustainable way, is an Error", he criticaly observed.

    - And "the Solution of the Problem of Syria, it's Not Turkey that has it. But it's rather to Eradicate ISIL"'s Terrorists, he pointed out.

    => In this regard, "it was a Monumental Error to put Russia Out of the circuit, because we (EU) Need Russia in order to Solve the Issue of Syria", the experiened former French President stressed.

    ++ Speaking later Today (Wednesday Afternoon, May 18) at "France Inter" Radio, Sarkozy was very Critical on the Controversial Policies of Turkey :   - "If People really See what Erdogan is Doing" recently, it becomes obvious that "it's Not a Moment to Make Deals with him", he pointed out, (referring to Human Rights Violations, Refusals to adapt Turkish Laws to EU Standards, Lift of Parliamentary Immunity of Dissident MPs, use of Violence in Kurdish regions, suspect complacency viis a vis ISIL's Extreme Islamist Terrorists, etc).

    - "Erdogan knows only the Balance of Power" : F.ex., we had witnessed, together with Chancelor Merkel, how Turkey had "Blocked the NATO Summit" of 2009 in Strasbourg, "during 2 whole Days", because he Vetoed the Election of (former Danish Prime Minister) Rasmussen as New Secretary General", on the Pretext of Press Freedom Issues :! - "It was really Scandalous !", denounced Sarkozy.

    => He also Pleaded in favour of Mass Asylum Seekers/Migrants' <<"Hotspots" Outside of Europe>>, "Not only in Turkey, but also in Other Neighbouring Countries, (according to the Official PanEuropean ChristianDemocrat/EPP Policy, adopted at EPP's latest Congress in Spain, on October 2015).

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     However, Sarkozy explicitly "Refuse(d) to Criticize Mrs Merkel and the German Policy", despite a Question by "Le Monde" about whether "German Chancelor Angie Merkel would be Wrong about the Refugees' Crisis", as they had said.

    - Instead, "I was Shocked to see Mrs Merkel negotiate Alone with the Turkish Government. ... Where was France's voice ?", he criticaly queried. ... Perhaps, "France Disappeared from the Diplomatic Map ? .... It's Less Mrs Merkel's Leadership, than the Fading away of Mr. Hollande that I deplore".

    - Because "the Only Possible Leadership in Europe (is) the Franco-German Leadership", and "one of the Major Problems, currently, in Europe is a total Absence of (that) Leadership", he explained.

     Moreover, "there is a Difference between Speeches and Realities in Germany. Some Wordings used by the Chancelor (Angie Merkel), might have given an Impression that Germany would Underestimate the Problem. ... But, we must Admit that, Behind Speeches, there is a very Strong Hardening of German Rules", and "it's a real Relief for me to see that", he found.

    + At the Same Time, Sarkozy strongly Defended Hungary's and Poland's qualities as fully "Functioning Democracies" Today, as well as Popular (3 Times brillantly re-Elected with an Absolute Majority of People's Votes) Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban's "Respect for Democracy", together wtth that of Polish Leader of the Governing Party Jaroslaw Kaczynski, (both Known for their Leadership among the "Visegrad" Group EU Member Countries, such as Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, etc., added to Western Balkans' Countries, such as Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, FYROM, etrc., who have Strongly Critical Viewpoints and Practices concerning the recent Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants' influx through Turkey).  

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      + At any case, "Turkey has No Vocation to Enter Europe", "Turkey's place is Not inside Europe". but to "remain a Link between Europe and Asia", as well as a Partner for "Global" affairs.   

    - Otherwise, "We could Not Explain to SchoolChildren that Europe's Borders would be at Syria !", he pointed out.

    - Therefore, "ReOpen a so-called EU "Accession" Process for Ankara, particularly "with what is Going on Today in Turkey", and "even Open the Negotiations' Chapter for Monetary Policy", (that France had included among the 5 Chapters concerning the Core of EU Membership, that Paris had officialy asked to Block, already since August 2007, as a minimal Condition in order Not to put a Veto against all EU - Turkey Negotiations, as it had been promissed and Strongly Endorsed by a Large Majority of French People, in the crucial, 2007 National Elections), is an error, because "Turkey has Nothing to do inside Europe !", Sarkozy strongly denounced.

    + In addition, Today, "the Worst of all, would be a "BrExit" (UK's Exit from the EU, after the forthcoming June 2016 Referendum), and Turkey's Accession" to the EU : - "We'd have made the Biggest Top Blunder !", he Criticized Timely.

    - But, "we don't want that the Peoples turn their back to Europe". Already, "as things stand Today, there are Many Convinced Europeans who don't Recognize this Europe anymore", Sarkozy Warned

    => Therefore, "We Need a New Foundation, for a New Europe", he urged.

    And the questions raised now about the "Brexit" offer "an Opportunity for a New Foundation of Europe : Regardless of whether it will be the "Yes", or the "No", (particularly the "No"), which might prevail, "we Must create a New Foundation for Europe", Sarkozy stressed

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    + More Widely speaking, "the Free Movement of Europeans inside the EU does Not mean that All those who are Not Europeans would have a Liberty to Move throughout Europe", also added, as a matter of General Principle., Sarkozy, who his Intention to immediately launch an Initiative for a "Shengen 2" Treaty, if he's re-elected on May 2017, while also welcoming Hungary's and Poland's "Democracies which Function", shortly after Victor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, presented another Plan for a Solution to the Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants' "Tsunami" through Turkey, named also after "Shengen 2", (which calls for EU External Borders"' Protection, "Hotspots" at Neighbouring Countries, etc).

    => Thus, Sarkozy "propose(d) that Non-Europeans' Liberty of Circulation throughout the EU should Not be allowed anymore, as long as Schengen 2 is not yet adopted", (with an Harmonisation of Social advantages for Refugees among all EU Member States, a 5 Years Period before Newcomer Immigrants could start benefiting from Social Welfare Services, as well as the Creation of a Shengen's Governance composed by Member States' JHA Ministers, and Headed by a "Stable" Presidency, responsible for FRONTEX's role to Protect EU's External Borders, etc).

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    + Meanwhile, "we can perfectly think about a New Grouping, which would Bring Together EU, Russia and Turkey, with a very High Level Political Cooperation, Joint Reflexion on Security, and in order to eventualy faciltate Economic Exchanges, (which doesn't mean "Common Market", because that has Other Consequences)", he added

     - "Thus, wa shall have a (GeoPolitical) Landscape, in our Continent and beyond, where the main element, quite loose, would be : EU, Russia, Turkey, in order to Speak Security, Politics, eventualy Economic Cooperation", etc. 

      In this regard, "We (EU) have a Diverging view vis a vis our American Friends on Russiia :"

        - "EU and Russia's vocation  is to Work Together. Not to be Opposed to eachother. We (Europeans) doN's want a New Cold Warn but a Cooperation with Russia", Sarkozy stressed.

    - "Naturaly, this doesn't mean that we'd endorse Everything that Mr. Putin is doing"

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    - "But, then, what would we say on what are doing ISIL, Al Quaida, or so many Dictators throughout the World, North Korea, etc. ?", he Wondered. 

                                                                                                                                   
    + "Beyond that, would be the Europe of 28 (EU Member States), which would have a Vocaaion to become 32, Together with the (Western) Balkan (Countries). And afterwards, the Europe of the €uroZone, which would have the Vocation to Integrate", he Concluded, (describing almost a well-known overall Schema, most of which, he had Previously Highlighted (and presented even in a Joint Press Conference with US President Obama in Paris), during his 2007-2012 Presidency).

    => Therefore, we need to Open "a Debate on Europe, for a New Stage" of the European Construction, Sarkozy concluded, after anouncing his intention to profoundly ReStructure the European Project, particularly via a "New Treaty", "for which France would  take an Initiative, already from Summer 2017".

    ++ Wishing to ReVitalise and Complete the Project that he had Started to Build, together with German Chancelor Angie Merkel, as early as already since Summer 2011, (V., f.ex., among others, also, "Eurofora"s NewsReport from an Exceptional Franco-German Summit at Paris' Elysée Palace, on August 2011 : ...., followed by a Brussels' EU Summit's subsequent Decision for the Creation of an "€uroZone"'s Council of Heads of States/Governments : .....), the former French President also called for an Economic Governance of €uroZone, due to become More Integrated, while, on the Contrary, the Wider EU should Focus only on Deepening the Common Marke and certain Key Big Policies, (such as Energy, Industry, Agriculture, Trade, etc, as he had earlier HighLighted at a landmark Speech in Berlin's Adenauer Foundation, back on February 2014).

        In this overall Context, he Firmly reiterated that "only in case of a Total Ignorance of Europe's History, might someone Deny the Christian Roots of Europe", strongly Applauded.

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+ "HOT" EU REPORT WARNS :
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   + Sarkozy's move came just after an EU Commission Report published in Brussels Yesterday Morning denounced an  “increased mobility into the Schengen area of criminals and terrorists who are citizens of Turkey, or who are foreigners based in Turkey.”  Curiously, it seems that it forgot to mention what is probably the most Important, in this regard : I.e. Smugglers and/or Jihadists Transiting through Turkey, (f.ex. from ISIL-controled Syrian and/or Iraq Territories, etc).

    => Therefore, "The proposed Visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens travelling to the EU could potentially have an impact on the Terrorist Risk in the EU, in as far as the Movement of Terrorists of Turkish citizenship to and from the Schengen area is concerned", EU Report Warned.

    + Moreover, that Controversial EU  Turkey Deal may give an Opportunity to Turkish Smugglers in Drugs, Prostitution, Arms, Migrants, etc. for Europe, to make a “direct territorial Expansion towards the EU” .

    ++ In even Wider terms, “Suspect individuals being allowed to travel to the Schengen territory without the need to go through a Visa request procedure would have a greater ability to Enter the EU withOut being Noticed.”

    +++ "As soon as Turkish citizens will obtain Visa-Free entry to the EU, Foreign nationals will Start trying to obtain Turkish Passports in order to ... enter the EU..., or Use the identities of Turkish citizens, or to obtain by Fraud the Turkish citizenship"; EU Report expects.

    - “This possibility may attract not only Irregular Migrants, but also Criminals or Terrorists".

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+ WORRYING FACTS : 

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    Already, among Many other Relevant Worrying Facts recently, can be mentioned, inter alia, f.ex. :  The Infiltration of several ISIL's Deadly Terrorists who Attacked innocent Civilian People in Paris, Brussels, etc, afte being Hidden amidst Massive "Refugee" Influx through Turkey. The Traffic of Hundreds of Falsified EU Passports, Hidden inside .. Pizzas, by a Turkish - origin Smuggler from Belgium to Turkey, apparently Destinated for the ISIL Extreme Islamist Terrorists - Occupied Territories in Syria/Iraq. Amerian Press' Interviews of Turkish Smugglers Exploiting Thousand of Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants that they send into the EU by Tresspassing at the Aegean Sea, who revealed that they Planned to Enter also pzersonaly, themselves, inside the EU, where they had several Mafia Traffic Networks. The Prosecution and Condemnation to Prison against 2 Dissident Turkish Journalists who Revealed that Ankara's Government was Secretly sending Deadly Heavy Weapons (Rockets) to Violent Armed Terrorists inside Syria. The Murder of 3 Women, Political Dissidents living in Paris, for which, a Secret Agent reportedly send by Turkey was the main Suspect to be the cold-blood Killer, who remains still in Total Impunity since January 2013. Etc....

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    >>> As  UK's former MI6 Chief, Sir Richard Dearlove had reportedly Warned earlier this week, on Monday, May 16,  give a VisaFree status to 80 Millions of Turks for 90 Days Stay inside the EU each Semester, (i.e. about 6 Months Each Year !), on Pretext "to stem the Flow of Migrants accross the Aegean", "seems Perverse", and is like ..."storing Gasoline next to the Fire" !

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- By Rejecting Today 3 Amendements which had attempted to Exclude any Recognition of Market Economy status to China, EU Parliament prefered, rather, to Focus on asking to Create EU "Trade Defense Instruments" vis a vis also Other Partner Countries, while Free Trade Talks between EU and USA as well as various other Countries and/or Areas of the World are in the Making, shortly before Key forthcoming Global Summits of G8 and G20, in the run up to a December 2016 Time Deadline which would automaticaly include China among Market Economies for the Future, according to WTO Rules.  

However, under Pressure from some Industry lobbies, and concerned particularly about EU Steel Production's future, MEPs also called for an "Investigation" on eventual Dumping and Subsidy over Prices, "until China fulfills all 5 EU Criteria required to qualify as Market Economy", despite Beijing Government's recent efforts to Reduce Overcapacities in Steel, which represents Only 1/5 of EU's Imports, the 4/5 coming from Other Countries, as it protested. (Other Steel Importing Countries' group reportedly includes often Turkey, Ukraine, India, Brasil, ec).

And this, Despite the Recognition, by a Clear Majority of MEPs Votes, that "the Importance of the EU Partnership with China",  who is "the EU’s 2nd Biggest Trading partner, and the EU ...China’s Biggest Trading partner, ...with Daily Trade flows of well Over 1 Billion €", "whereas in 2015", Chinese "Incestments... into the EU ...Exceeded investment from the EU into China", "for the first time", and "Chinese Market has been the Main engine of Profitability for a number of EU Industries and Brands"..

>>> Meanwhile, it's by 527 Votes against only 107 that EU Parliament Rejected Today an Amendment which wanted to make it "Oppose Recognition of China's Market Economy Status".

+ MEPs Rejected also anOther Amendment which wannted to "Urge the (EU) Commission Not to Grant Market Economy status to China", was Rejected by an even Wider Majority of 549 Votes against Only 79.

++ Significantly, even a, comparatively, somewhat Milder attempt to express the Critiical View that, "Until China meets all 5 EU Criteria required, the EU should Not Recognize China as Market Economy", according to a 3rd Amendment tabled in this regard, was also Rejected by EU Parliament with 313 Votes against 152.

On the Contrary, MEPs prefered to soberly state on May 2016 that, for the Time being, "the 5 Criteria established by the EU to define Market Economies have NOT YET been fulfilled", and, therefore, "China is Not a Market Economy, as long as that matter is still Pending.

Nevertheless, already, in addition to BRICS' Countries, such as Russia and Brazil, it's also Switzerland, Australia, Singapore and New Zeland, among various (80) Countries throughout the Globe, who have reportedly Recognized China's Economy Today as having recently become mainly Market - oriented.

>>>But, the most Important development, seems to be EU Parliament's crystal-clear Political Will to "Stress the Imminent Need" to "Rapidly" adopt a much Wider, "General Reform of the EU's Trade Defence Instruments, in order to Guarantee a Level playing field for EU Industry", not only "with China", but also with "Other Trading Partners", among Many Countries accross the World.

=> For that purpose, MEPs, in Conclusion, "call on the (EU) Council to ... Seek Agreement with (EU) Parliament in the Modernisation of the (European) Union's Trade Defence Instruments" in general, according to a Resolution finaly adopted with a Crushing Majority of 546 Votes against Only 28.  

+ In this regard, EU Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis underlined, during EU Parliament's relevant Debate, earlier on Tuesday, that "it is becoming more Urgent than ever, for the Modernisation Package (on the above-mentioned, Wider "TDI"s), to be adopted. (EU) Parliament has done its job, but, unfortunately, the Council has been unable to take matters forward. As you know, the Commission is making every effort to Help the Member States to Break the Deadlock".

Because EU has "3 Options" :

(1) "Do Nothing", i.e. "No Change in Legislation", practicaly Refusing to Grant a Market Econoomy Status (MES) to China : Something which "would pose a High Legal Risk", "given that EU's methodology for China is Based on the very ... (WTO's) Protocol which Expîres in December".  This practicaly means, that, 15 Years after Beijing's Accession to the WTO, China should Start to be treated in an Equal manner as all other Market Econoomy Countries, particularly as it concerns the Anti-Dumping mechanism : F.ex. by Stoping to Compare with a 3rd, "Surrogate Country", in order to Calculate the so-called Normal Price of a Product, and, therefore, whetheer Chinese Products might risk to be sold at an Artificially Low Price in the EU Market : Something that the Government of Beijing denounces as "Unfair".

(2) "Secondly, .. Remove China from the List of Non-Market Economies, and apply the Standard Dumping Calculation", (which is more favorable to Beijing than that which Compared, until now, with a 3rd "Surrogate Country"s prices : Comp. Supra). I.e. do what "is usually called Granting Market Economy Status (MES)". But this "would involve a very High Cost in terms of potential Job Losses in the EU", as it "would .. No Longer be able to .. Protect against (possible) Unfair Trading practices" by China. And, at a,ny case, i.e. "Even without the current ... Overcapacity" of Chinese Production, "any such move would be Untenable", the EU Commissioner Warned.

=> (3) All this brings us to a "Third" option : "Introduce a New Approach", by "Changing the Anti-Dumping methodology", in a way "which shoule Maintain a Strong Trade Defence system in the EU", "while (also) giving effect to the expiry of certain provisions of the China Accession Protocol" to the WTO from December 2016, (i.e., apparently, by granting a Market Economy Status (MES). "This ... would help ensure that the Dumping Margins calculated would .. Reflect .. Distorsions .. more Accurately", (almost as the USA have done, as he noticed).

>>> Therefore, "Our (EU's) Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs) Must be Efficient and Effective", (particularly in view of the Expiry of certain WTO provisions on China  from December 2016 : Comp. Supra). So this object requires action by Member States in the (EU) Council to ensure that the Modernisation of our TDIs Moves forward Quickly". "In the meantime", EU "Commission is continuing an Impact Assessment", and "it's Imperative that Work is Completed in order to Enable" it "to Make a Decision" asap, he Urged in Conclusion.

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    - "Obviously the EU must Comply with its obligations under WTO Law, (about the December 2016 Time Deadline for granting MES to China : Comp. Supra). But it must also Balance the legitimate concerns of European Producers and Consumers, ...while acknowledging China ...as a Strategic Trading Partner", stressed from the outset, on behalf of the EU Council, its Chairwoman-in-office, Dutch Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.
    
    + "It is .. a Complicated file : On the one hand, we (EU) entered into Agreements with the Accession of China to the WTO, 15 Years ago, and we canNot just Ignore our Obligations", (f.ex. on Granting Market Economy Status to Beijing from December 2016, i.e. applying the General Anti-Dumping Calculation Methods  : Comp. Supra). "On the other hand, China is by No means a Market Economy, as ...many MEPs have stated, and ...we Need to Protect European industry and European Workers against Unfair Trade practices. In other words, we will need to Balance our International Obligations and our strategic Commercial Interests, the interests of our (EU's) Producers and Consumers", she added later-on.

    => That's why, EU "Council has reStarted discussions ...on Modernising the EU’s Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs)", already contained "on the Commission’s 2013 proposal", she anounced.  Indeed, "this might be the Moment to reflect on how to improve our Trade Defence Mechanisms,  with a view to Better tackling unfair trade practices and to ensuring a Global (i.e. Wider) level playing field for EU Companies". and "Strengthen our (EU's) Defences against Unfair Competition and Cheap Imports", from anywhere they might come.

In consequence,  EU "Council ... will discuss the Commission’s communication ... this coming Friday May 13, including New Ideas on how to modernise the EU’s Trade Defence Instruments (TDIs), in particular in the light of Economic Damage caused by Overcapacity in Third-Country Markets" accross the Globe, (i.e. Not Only vis a vis China, but also various Other States : Comp. Supra).

 - "The Dutch (EU) Presidency is doing everything" to "Overcome the Blockade" among EU Member States inside the Council, since "our Ultimate Objective is ... Strong and Effective Trade Defence Systems", Minister Hennis-Plasschaert concluded in fine.

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=> EU Commission is due to take Decisions on China during this Summer 2016, i.e. shortly after Next Week's Visit to Beijing by French Foreign Minister, (and former Prime Minister), Jean-Marc Ayrault, who was, at the Beginning of EU Parliament's Plenary Session,  last Monday, present in Strasbourg.

(../..)

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("DraftNews", as already send to "Eurofora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be Published asap).

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*Strasbourg/University Palace/Angelo Marcopolo/- EU - China Cooperation in Scientific Research is a "very Interesting" recent Development, and it can be "Facilitated", in this and other cases, by the Creation of "European Campus", bringing Together many Universities from vartious European Countries, starting by the 1st Example given Today around Strasbourg's "Superior Rhine" area, between France, Germany and Switzerland, to Boost Modern Collective Research, replied, in substance, EU Commissioner for Science, Research and Innovation, Carlose Moedas, to "Eurofora"s Questions, and he was joined, particularly on the 2nd Point,  also by a Strong Plaidoyerie by the President of that New Legal Structure of an "EU Group for Territorial Cooperation", Professor Hans-Jochen Schiewer, Dean of Freiburg University at nearby Germany, (See Infra).

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- "Eurofora" reminded the Fact that, during the latest EU - China SUmmit last July 2015 in Brussels, (See relevant "Eurofora"s NewsReports from the spot, f.ex. : .....), it was discussed, for the First Time, a New Economic Strategy focused no more on Trade and/or Industrial Production alone, but also and mainly on Joint Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, (on the occasion of which EU Commissioner Moedas had Started to Sign 2 conrete initial Agreements with his Chinese Minister counterpârt), and asked the EU Commissioner how things are going in that field, and whether this could be Facilitated by the Creation of "European Campus" bringing together many Universities from various EU Countries, as the 1st one, just established Today around Strasbourg's "Superior Rhine" area, between Germany, France and Switzerland.

- Indeed, "We (EU and China) have, in fact, a Co-Financing System, which allows both Chinese Researchers to work here (in Europe), and Our (EU's) Researchers to work in China", Moedas confirmed.

- "For that purpose, We (EU and China) Created Together a Mechanism, according to which, we (EU) Pay our Part, and they (China) Pay their Part, in order to work on  Joint Research projects", he explained.

- All "this is Very Interesting", both for China and "for Europe", "because the Cooperation with Countries liks China is very Important", underlined Positively EU's Science, Research and Innovation Commissioner.

- In fact, "they (China) have some Interesting contributions to make in Research, and, Vice-Versa, we (EU) have  too, effectively", Carlos Moedas stressed.

- Also, because, as a matter of principle, "Science, as you know, Science is Build by Opening up to the World, since it is developing in All Frameworks, in All Countries, and that's cery Important, per se, to be effectively Able to Benefit from each other's Research".

- In this regard, the Creation, Today, of the 1st "European Campus" around Strasbourg, which Brings Together 3 Countries (France, Germany, Schwitzerland) with 5 Universities, accross the Superior Rhine river Euro-Region), "I think, that it's a Good Example, of what can, indeed, Facilitate such effective International Cooperations in Scientific Research with Countries like China", he observed.

- "For the Time being, this is the 1st Case of such an Eucopean Campus" throughout all EU's 28 Member Countries, "but there are at least anOther 2 Similar Projects currently prepared, among other EU Countries, even if they have Not Yet been Decided" until now.

- "That's the way to make Science Today !  It's not by staying Closed inside a Laboratory...", the competent EU Commissioner pointed out in Conclusion.

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+ Speaking, later-on, during an Official Ceremony for the Creation of this "1st" example of a "European Campus", bringing Together the Infrastructures, Researchers, Professors, Administrative Staff and Students of 5 French, German or Swiss Universities, in the Legal Framework of a European Group for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), witha Unique Legal Personality, able to apply for Joint Research Projects to be Funded by EU's "Horizon 2020" RST Prfogram, as well as from National Budgets, Moedas made a Strong Plaidoyerie for International Cooperation in RST :

- "Today, the way Science works has Evolved towards Collecrtive, Networked methods", the Research, Science and Innovation EU Commissioner stressed from the outset, as a matter of general principle.

- F.ex., already, as early as since back on 1911, for the First Time, 24 Top Scientists on Physics and Chemistry, (including, f.ex. Poincaré, Curie, Max Planck, etc) had Gathered Together at Brussels' Metropole Hotel, for a Conference which was due to bring Big Changes : Not only for passing from Classical to Quantum Physics, but also in order to develop "a New way to Work Together", starting what cand be called an "Open Science".

- On the Contrary, just a few Years Earlier, Back on 1905, f.ex. Einstein had published his Findings on the Relativity theory, as well as on the Photon, etc. after Working "Alone", as a Unique Researcher, Moedas reminded.

- But, "Now", when, f.ex., New Findings were recently published on "Gravitational Waves", this was done "by about 1.000 Scientists from Various Countries", who had worked Together, he observed.

=> Thus, "Science Changed : It's No more a matter for One Man Alone. The Age of Individual Research has gone. We are, Today, in an Age of Collective Research, Based on Openess".

+ This "also a Political concept, against Closed areas and Protectionism", pointing at "an Open Future", the competent EU Commissioner concluded.

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+  Meanwhile, 1st "European Campus"' President, Professor Hans-Jochen Schiewer, who Chairs also the Superior Rhine Euro-Region around Strasbourg, and serves as Dean to Freiburg University at nearby Germany, speaking earlier to "Eurofora", sharply Backed the Idea that International Cooperations with Big Countries such as China, Russia, USA, etc., would be greatly Facilitated by Bringing Together 5 European Universities from 3 important Countries (France, Germany and Switzerland), with all their Infrastructures, as well as a 2,3 Billions € Total Budget, 15.000 Researchers, 11.000 PhD Candidates, and 115.000 Students, but also by making possible interesting Synergies both for EU Funding of Joint Projects, and for New kinds of Education and Research potential :

 - F.ex., in Addition to attending a Summer School session in Germany's Feriburg University, Foreign Students and/or Researchers, could also Visit and Work at France's Strasbourg University, as well as Switzerland's University of Balle, etc., since they have become all now Members of that "European Campus" at the Superior Rhine area. While, on the Contrary, if they went f.ex. to Berlin, they woukd be Limited Only to the Berlin University alone, he compared.

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- "I know quite well China !", boasted, later-on, NOBEL Prize Winner in Chemistry, French Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, Director of Strasbourg's Supra-Molecular Research Institute, speaking to "Eurofora".

According to the vice-President of Strasbourg University for International Relations, Professor Francis Kern, in Canton region there is even a Chinese University which has reportedly adopted Lehn's name.

Lehn didn't exlude for the New, "European Campus" Franco-Germano-Swiss confederation, which brings Together 5 Universities from 3 Neighbouring Countries located accross the Rhine River, (Comp. its' President, German Professor Hans-Jochen Schiewer's replies to "Eurofora" Questions, at : .......), to develop its already declared wish to Boost its International Visibility by using a kind of Representations abroad, not only in Brussels and New York, or Geneva, etc., but also on Shanghai, host city of various Universities and Institutes, including of the Famous Global Ranking of Universities world-wide, as well as Shanghai's International Relations Institute, etc. He only warned that he, personaly, "didn't have enough Time" to undertake the responsibiity of such a mission nowadays.

 + Last, but not least, as it was characteristicaly said by the experienced Professor of Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT), and long-time President of German niversities' Conference of Deans,  Horst Hippler, (on the Occasion of the attributions of 3 "Honoris Causa" PhD Degrees by Strasbourg's University to himself, as well as to Swiss Professor of Egyptology, Antonio Loprieno, together with the New "European Campus" President, Profedssor Schiewer, Dean of Feiburg University at nearby Germany : Comp. Supra),  - "Minds are like Parachutes : They only function when they are Open !"...

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Shortly before EU Parliament's LIBE Committee and/or Plenary checks, Next Week in Strasbourg, a Controversial EU - Turkey Deal, and mainly the UnPopular VISA-Free status for 80 Millions of Turks, that Ankara extorted from Europe by Blackmail on Mass Irregular Immigrants'  Tsunami via Turkey, President Tayip Erdogan's latest Statements against EU Conditions, (f.ex. on Anti-Terrorism Reforms, Press Freedom, etc), give to Europeans a Chance to Rectify, that should not be missed. Particularly when Official UNHCR and IMO data clearly reveal that a Reduction of Asylum Seekers/Migrants' flow was due to Border Controls by 5 - 6 Countries at the Western Balkans' route, which had Started already Before that Turkey Deal, (See Facts Infra).

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UnPopular
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The simple anouncement, last week, that a Majority inside EU Commission, (as later presented in a Press Conference in Brussels by its vice-President Tindemans, personaly involved in EU-Turkey contacts), would have Accepted the Principle of giving a Total "Visa Free" status to 80 Millions of Turkish Population (according to a 2016 Number, recently endorsed by the CoE), for 6 Months unconditional Entry and Stay inside the EU, each Year, provoked, inter alia, f.ex., in the mainstream French Media "Le Figaro"'s website, an Astonishing, 99% Strongly Negative Giant Wave of numerous Popular Reactions, going from Denouncing EU Bureaucracy, up to Calls for Voting the "FN"s Rightists in the forthcoming April 2017 crucial French Presidential Elections, or even to a Tragic Despair, in an overall Feeling of EU Citizens being Betrayed by "Elites", who haven't even Consulted them, on so Serious Issues which risk to affect People's everyday Life, EU's Socio-Cultural Cohesion, Economy, Security, Identity and Future, (etc).

In Germany, at the Same Time,  62% of the German People are Against such a "Visa-Free" status for all Turks vis a vis the EU, opposed to Only a Small Minority of just 33%, according to several mainstream Media, (such as, f.ex., "Zeit", "Welt", etc). And, there too, Crucial Parliamentary Elections are due for Next Year, (Summer-Autumn 2017).

As for the UK, after UKIP's Chief, Nigel Farage's recent Call at EU Parliament, for Brits to get Out of the EU at least Because of such Threats to let 80 Millions Turkish Population enter inside the EU even without any Visa, at any moment and everywhere, each Year, was added to more recent, Suddenly Pro-Exit Majority Polls, which coincided partly with the way that was perceived that Controversial EU Commission's anouncement, (Comp. Supra). +Former Conservative Party Leader and Minister, Iain Duncan Smith's latest Critical Statements, similar to Farage's, made this point even hotter, (UPDATE). Such events provoked obvious Concerns among EU Politicians that this kind of developments might Fuel a "Brexit" trend in the forthcoming June 2016 Referendum, which, inter alia, have apparently motivated attempts to Postpone Final EU Decisions, (f.ex. by EU Parliament's plenary, but also by EU Commission itself),  for a Later, Post-Brittish Referendum period.

Similar EU Citizens and/or EU Politicians' reactions on that Sensitive Issue, (which comes at a quite Bad Moment, just after the Parallel Controversies provoked throughout all Europe by the recent Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants "Tsunami" of more than 1 Million, predominantly Muslim, Immigrants suddenly launched through Turkey, via EU -and Shengen- Member Greece, mainly from August 2015 until March 2016), could easily be found also throughout a lot of more EU Countries Today.

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Dangerous
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EU Citizens' Concerns, as well as those of various EU Politicians, seem quite Justified, and, at least, raise Legitimate Questions. F.ex. :

- Why waste more than 6 Billions € to Turkey, while, on the Contrary, on Eu's Western Mediterranean Borders, Morocco and Spain have succeeded to Prevnt Massive Irregular Migration until now, without Spending such Excessive Amounts of EU Taxpayers Money, (including from Poor People, via the VAT, etc), even vis a vis a Continent so Huge Poor and Conflict-stricken as Africa ?

- Why give a Total "Visa-Free" status to 80 Millions of Turkish Population in 2016, while even Armenians, Georgians, Ukranians, Bielorussians, Moldavians,  Russians, etc., are still Deprived of such a Privilege, despite being European People, both from a Cultural, Historic and Geographical point of view ?

- Open EU's  doors  to 80 Millions of Turks, suddenly all Free to enter even Shengen areas and Stay inside the EU as long as 6 Months Each Year, won't enDanger Europe's Socio-Cultural Cohesion, Identity and Feeling of Common Belonging, while also provoking various Risks, in real practice, vis a vis EU's current UnEmployment Problems ?  And wouldn't it Risk to Aggravate further a Dangerous Rift separating EU Politicians from EU Citizens, as back on 2005 ?

+ Various converging Revelations about many Extreme ISlamist Terrorists of ISIL's atrocious BeHeaders, even of innocent Civilian People, having Infiltrated the EU through Turkey, by Hiding themselves among the recent Massive Asylum Seekers/Irergular Migrants'  Huge "Tsunami", including among those who Attacked and Killed Civilian EU People recently in Paris, Brussels, etc., (Totaling several Dozens, or Hundreds, may be Thousands of "sleeping" Terrorists, according to various Sources and estimations), inevitably raise also various Security Concerns. Moreovern Turkish Regime's notorious Links to ISIL and other Terrorist Groups in Syria and/or Iraq, as well as a recent Finding that Many EU Passports were Transported from Brussels to Turkey, apparently Destinated to ISIL at nearby Seria, Hidden in Pizzas, by a Turkish-origin Smuggler, (according to mainstream German Media), obviously aggravate People's Fears.

- In Addition, as long as Horrible Crimes as that of the Cold-Blood Murder of 3 Dissident Women of Kurdish origin in Paris, Shot and Killed at their Office back on January 2013, (for which an Agent of Turkish Secret Services has been reportedly suspected to be Responsible, during a brief Trip to Europe, as well as, mutatis-mutandis, the recent Mass Aggressions against defenseless Women and Young Girls, ill-treated "like Cattle", during the New Years' Eve, in Cologne, Hamburg and other German Cities, as well as in Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Finland, the UK, etc, add to People's Concerns.

- Moreover, Recent Scandals, as that f.ex. of the Turkish Consulate in the Netherlmands initialy Asking all Turkish Immigrants to Syy on local Journalmists, and Report to Ankara  any Publications Critical to ithe Turkish Government's Policies;, followed even by the Prosecution of a German mainstream TV Journalist by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, almost at the same Time that Turkey Interfered even Against a Musical Creation by Dresden's Orchestra inspired by the Armenian Genocide, (etc), provoked a Large Controversy inside the EU, and Concerns about the Future of  Press' and other Democratic Freedoms in the EU Threatened by External Interferences orchestrated by a Turkish Government. which has recently Refused or Supressed Press Accreditations to various  Western Journalists, added to the Notoriously Oppressive stance of Ankara's regime vis a vis various Dissident Turkish Journalists too.

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Erdogan's Blackmails
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Already initialy extorted from the EU during an exceptional "Black Out" in Brussels, by extreme Pressure and Blackmail exerted by the Turkish Government mainly over the Mass Migrants' Crisis comming from Turkey itself, that Controversial and UnPopular EU - Turkey Deal, and particularly its "Visa-Free" provisions for 80 Millions of Turks, became, furthermore, an object of even More and New Pressures by Turkish Prilme Minister Tayip Erdogan :

AFter Firing his Prime Minister, Davutoglou, who had negotiated that Controversial EU  Turkey Deal, Erdogan notoriously Refused to Change the Anti-Terrorism Laws of Ankara's regime, which, among others, are used also in order to Thrteaten and Suppress the Freedom of Expression of Citizens and/or of many Media and Journalists, despite the Fact that a Reform  of Turkey's Anti-Terrorism Legislation was celarly alreadly asked by  the CoE previously. On this occasion, Erdogan reportedly stressed that EU should "Go its Way", and Turkey its own, while also Accusing EU Parliament in Brussels to Tolerate a "Tent" set up by Dissidents, etc.

Later on, despite a subsequent claim that Turkey would "Work Together" with EU Authorities, towards Advancing Ankara's controversial and unpopular EU bid, etc., Erdogan appeared, more and more, interested by attempts to push forward his demand for a "Visa-Free" status to 80 Millions Turks, while reportedly leaving Pending the Issue of the Sort reserved to the EU - Turkey Deal on the Migrants' Crisis..

A stance which, obviously, provoked Concerns to EU Circles aboput Turkey's veiled Threats to Drop its Promisses to Help Reduce the play of Turkish Smugglers accrodd Eu's External Borders in the Aegean Sea, and/or to Add even More Blackmails to the Detriment of EU's Principles and basic Values, etc.

This would naturaly Challenge EU Leaders' Credibility, and put to a Harrd Test, German Chancelor angie Merkel's, and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's, as well as most EU Parliament MEPs' statements about EU's attachment to its main Principles and Rules, which must Not be Wetered Down exceptionaly in the case of Turkey.

But, does the EU really Need so much Ankara in order to Try to Stop that Massive Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrant's "Tsunami" through Turkey towards EU's External Borders in Greece via the Aegean Sea ?

A Fresh Look at the Factual Data already Published until Now in the Press and/or by the competent International Organisations, clearly reveals that the Real Situation is, in fact, directly Opposite to what might Claim, and that EU Fears about what migfht happen if the Turkish Government didn't respect its Commitments, are groundless.

On the Contrary, such a Passive attitude by the EU, would only allow the Turkish regime to Add even More Pressure and Attempts to Blackmail the EU Countries in order to Multiply Dangerous and Damaging Concessions, to the Detriment of EU Citiens and Europe's Future., as several Warned.

Moreover, such an obvious Risk would be faced by the EU for the sake of something which has become, in Practice, more or less Useless Today, as the overall Recent Developments of the Real Situation on the Spot, show to any Careful Examination of the Facts.

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Useless 
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Official Data, mainly from UNHCR and IMO, clearly reveal that, Contrary to a False Impression diffused by most Establisment's Media, it's Not at all since the Entry into Force of the Controversial EU - Turkey Deal that a Reduction of the Number of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Immigrants tresspassing to EU Member Greece throuth the Turkish Coasts, after the 20 of March, 2016.

In Fact, it's Already long Before that, since 5 or 6 European Transit States, located at the Western Balkans' route, such as Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Serbia and FYROM, even Albania, etc., Started to Implement real Border Controls, particularly after February 18 and mainly March 9, that a Spectacular, Sharp Reduction of Mass Migrants' Inflow appeared and developed astonishingly Fast Results, creating, for the 1st Time, a Strong Downward Trend, (See relevant Numbers cited Infra).

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Until February 23, about 100.000 Migrants from Turkey had reached Greece during the Year 2016 alone, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), i.a almost 2.000 per Day.

But, already on February 18, Police Authorities from European Countries in the Western Balkans reportedly agreed to impose Daily Quota Limits, "acceptable to Austria", preparing Restrictions of the Maximum Number of Borders' Crossings per Day, which started soon to be progressively felt, (particularly on the Greece - FYROM Border), and widely publicized, even at a Global level, (includfing, f.ex., by a critical Statement from UNO's Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, etc).

When 2 or 3 key European Countries, (as f.ex. Serbia and FYROM, etc) partly Closed their Borders at least for Afghan Migrants, back since February 21, the Number of Arrivals Started to be somewhat Reduced, and this was certainly reinforced by EU Council President Donald Tusk's Dissuasive Statement, at the Beginning of March 2016, about European Countries Ceasing to serve for "Transit", (3 of March 2016). Thus, on March 4, arrivals are estimated to Fall at about 500.

But, Shortly After  5 to 6 European Countries completely Stoped the Mass Migrants' inflow at the Balkans' route Borders, from March 9, (i.e. Weeks Before the controversial EU - Turkey Deal starts to operate), the Number of Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Migrants arriving to EU Member Greece via Turkey Droped Down to Only about  the Half of what it was before, with just an average of some 1.150 per Day in Mid-March.

=> Thus, according to UNHCR Data, already, as Early as since February, the Total Number of Arrivals in Greece Falls, from More than 67.400+ on January, Down to about 57.000. (And this is Further Reduced to almost 27.000 on March, when the EU - Turkey controversial Deal didn't have but Only less than 10 Days during which it was Just Beginning Progressively).

>>> More Important : UNHCR Official Data reveal that, in Fact, the Biggest Fall in the Numbers or Arrivals occuired BEFORE the Entry into force of that controversial EU - Turkey Deal, (obviously because of the above mentioned Border Controls earlier set up by 5 or 6 European Countries at the Western Balkan Route: Comp. Supra), and NOT AFTERWARDS !

 -  Indeed, the "Weekly Average" of Mass Asylum Seekers:Irregular Migrants' Arrivals to EU Member Greece through Turkey, Starts to Fall from an almost 3.000 High between 18-24 February, Down to about 2.000  between 25 February and March 3, continuing its Fall Down to about 1.500  between 3 and 9 March, Drasticaly Reduced into Only about 800 during 10 - 16 March, reaching even Lower, with Less than 750 during March 17 - 23, (i.e. when the Controversial EU - Turkey Deal just Starts to Enter into Force).

===> This is tantamount to a Spectacular, sharp Reduction of almsot - 4,5 Times (- 450%) Less Arrivals, just between 18-24 February and 17-23 March, i.e. in Only 1 Month, BEFORE the Entry into force of that EU-Turkey deal, when it was Exclusively the Border Controls set up by 6 European Countries at the Western Balkans' Route, which had entered into play, ( Already as Early as since February 21 and March 9 : Comp. Facts cited Supra).

Compared to that Huge Initial Reduction, the Subsequent Reduction which continues, later-on, under the Combined Effects of Both the Border Controls and the EU - Turkey Deal, the Latter appears as a kind of .. Nain, standing side by side with a Giant ! (See relevant Graphics).

=> In other words, solid and crystal-clear Facts reveal that the alleged, so-called Miraculous Effect of the Controversial EU - Turkey Deal on Mass Asylum Seekers/Irregular Immigrants' Arrivals' Reduction is a Myth, a False Appearance, which Misleads both EU Politicians and EU Citizens... Simply because the 1st and much more Important Reduction of the Number of Arrivals had been already obtained Before the Entry into Force of that EU-Turkey Deal, (and still Continues to operate, until Today), without Wasting 6 Billions €, Neither being Obliged to "Accelerate" the UnPopular Turkey's EU bid, Nor even to Give a "Visa-Free" status to 80 Millions of Turks, that the Majority of European People do Not want at all, (Comp. Supra).

If this Trend Continued, without any Obstruction, Diversion or Interference, logically, in pure, simple Mathematics, (even WITHOUT that Controversial and UnPopular EU-Turkey Deal) before the End of April, the Average Weekly Inflow would have Fallen Down to Less than 160, and Before the End of May, Down to Less than 35....

But, in fact, Despite the Addition of the Entry into force of EU-Turkey's Deal, (after March 20), nevertheless, the latest Figures from the International Migration Organisation (IMO), reveal, on the Contrary, an recent Opposite Trend towards an Augmentation of Migrants' inflows through Turkey to EU Member Greece, with much Higher than normaly Expected Weekly during April 24 - 30, and  May 1 - 8 : Respectively 371 and 537 .

Greece being the Only EU Country with an Augmentation of Migrants' inflow (always through Turkey) even Today, while in all other European Countries, from Spain to Italy, Bulgaria, FYROM, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, etc., on the Contrary, their inflow was Droping Down.

+ In Addition, more than 376 People were Killed while trying to cross from Turkey to EU Member Greece, through the Aegean Sea this Year (2016) until the First Week of May included, while, at the Same Time, f.ex., at the Western EU External Borders between Spain and Morocco only 5 Deaths occured....

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=> isn't it Time for real Europeans to Wake Up from a Nightmare which durated Too Long, before it provokes Dangerous Harm ? 

Many Facts clearly indicate that Simpler Solutions are both Possible, Less Costly, closer to EU Principles, and more Efficient, as some EU Politicians seem to Start  realising recently.

The main Key being, naturaly, the Protection of EU's External Borders, including by the Creation of a European CoastGuard, which should be decided by EU leaders at the forthcoming, June 2016 EU Brussels' Summit.

Meanwhile, EU Parliament's Debates, during its Plenary Session of Next Week in Strasbourg, both at an Exceptional LIBE Committee meeting of Monday Afternoon, and inside the Hemicycle, (etc), should normally serve much more in order to Open MEPs' eyes to Real Facts, than in a pro-Turkish Lobby Attempts to Extort even more Concessions from an EU which would then Risk to Loose both its "Soul" and its Credibility, as well as its Money, for something which Facts prove to be largely Useless, Contrary to False Appearances, (Comp. UNHCR, IMO and other Data cited Supra)...

(../..)

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("DraftNews", as already send to "Eurofora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be Published asap).

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