Key points of EU-Turkey deal - AFP

The European Union and Turkey sealed a controversial deal on Friday to curb an unprecedented flow of migrants to Europe in exchange for concessions to Ankara.

Here is a summary of the main points according to a copy of the deal obtained by AFP:

The key point of the deal: “All new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey into Greek islands as from 20 March 2016 will be returned to Turkey.”

This includes both refugees fleeing conflict and persecution as well as economic migrants, and it applies irrespective of where the refugees originally come from.

Turkish officials will be posted to the Greek islands, and Greek officials will be stationed in Turkey from March 20 too.

The draft says it will be a “temporary and extraordinary measure which is necessary to end the human suffering and restore public order”.

To meet international law, migrants will be “duly registered and any application for asylum will be processed individually by the Greek authorities”.

Those who do not, or whose applications are rejected, will be returned.

The UN refugee agency will help with the returns process, according to a clause inserted late on Thursday.  All costs will be covered by the EU.

The EU will also “welcome Turkey's commitment that migrants returned to Turkey will be protected in accordance with the international standards.” - Read More

Key points of EU-Turkey deal | News | ekathimerini