European Union auditors raised alarm on Wednesday, highlighting difficulties in determining the efficacy of billions of euros allocated to Turkey for aiding Syrian refugees. The auditors cited uncooperative Turkish officials as hindering their ability to gauge the impact of EU funds.
Since 2016, the EU has committed to providing at least 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion) to Turkey to manage the influx of migrants from Syria, as part of a deal aimed at curbing illegal migration into Europe. Despite the substantial financial assistance, questions persist regarding the tangible outcomes of these investments.
While some progress has been reported, including a significant reduction in illegal border crossings immediately after the deal's implementation, auditors are encountering obstacles in assessing the effectiveness of EU-funded projects. Specifically, Turkey's education ministry has been reluctant to disclose vital information necessary for evaluating the impact of educational initiatives supported by EU funds.
Bettina Jakobsen, a member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring that EU-funded projects yield tangible results. She expressed concerns over the lack of cooperation from Turkish authorities, emphasising the need for comprehensive data to evaluate the impact and sustainability of education programs.
Despite joint efforts by auditors and the European Commission to obtain necessary information, Turkish authorities have failed to provide crucial data, citing its unavailability. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the management and utilisation of EU funds intended to support education, healthcare, and integration efforts for refugees in Turkey.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating earthquake, and economic instability in Turkey, auditors emphasised the need for rigorous oversight and evaluation of project budgets by the European Commission.
(Source: Daily Mail UK)
