Diplomacy necessary to prevent new refugee waves, Deputy PM says


Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan warned that the failure to carry out diplomatic efforts with Russia and Syria would have consequences for Europe.Speaking to reporters in Kilis province, Akdoğan said that a diplomatic initiative with Russia and Syria is necessary to prevent new refugee waves, which could have serious impacts for Europe.Akdoğan said that around 100,000 refugees are accommodated in nine camps just across Turkey's border in Syria and that Turkey continues its open-door policy. "We are opening our doors to whoever is running away from death, we call on the West to open its heart to refugees" Akdoğan said. The deputy prime minister also warned that 100,000 to 150,000 more refugees may hit the Turkish border in another refugee influx, and 600,000 in the worst scenario.He added that a tenth camp was being built three kilometres inside Syria.The refugees are looked after by organizations such as Turkey's emergency agency AFAD, the aid group Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) as well as international organisations.Up to 31,000 people have fled Aleppo and surrounding areas since last week, as Assad forces backed by Russian warplanes press an offensive that threatens to encircle the rebel-held eastern part of Syria's second city.Akdoğan said that in contrast to the early days of the offensive there was no longer a major-build up of refugees on the frontier, with those in need now accommodated in the camps."Right now there is no accumulation (of refugees) on the border, no big masses trying to cross the border," he said.