HELSINKI: Syrian refugees wait on the Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on February 1, 2016. Turkey, which is hosting at least 2.5 million refugees from Syria’s civil war. Photo AFP-Lehtikuva.
The European Union member states on Wednesday have approved a 3 billion euro support package for Turkey to cope with the ongoing refugee crisis in which Finland is going to contribute 28.4 million euros.
The European Commission has promised to increase its contribution from the initially pledged 500 million euros to 1 billion euros. The proposal for a refugee fund for Turkey was proposed in November 2015. The EU hopes the fund will help mitigate the entry of migrants and asylum seekers to Europe.