MPs urge tougher border controls for Turkey

They fear the country could be used as a gateway into the union and raised concerns about people trafficking and drug smuggling.

In a report, the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee called for Turkey to be made to demonstrate that it has met stringent border control rules set by Brussels before accession.

Turkey’s membership would extend the EU’s external border to Iran, Iraq and Syria.

The report said the land border between Greece and Turkey constitutes the main loophole for irregular immigration into the EU.

Thousands of migrants are entering the EU through Turkey every month, many aiming to reach the UK, it added.

But the committee said it believed that the risks posed in relation to organised crime were “considerably outweighed” by the potential benefits of Turkey joining, mainly because of the opportunities it would bring for increased cooperation.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: “It was clear from our visits to Turkey and Greece that, despite the willingness of the authorities to tackle the problem of illegal migration into the EU through this region, much more needs to be done.

“In particular, we require a collective commitment from Greece, Turkey and the European and international law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and work together to bring down the criminal gangs who are responsible for bringing thousands of migrants into the EU each month.

“I am concerned that, if action is not taken now, it will become even easier for migrants from countries such as Afghanistan and Iran to enter the EU once Turkey is a member.”

MPs called on Brussels to make arrangements for Turkey to take on some of the attributes of EU membership prior to full accession, in order to tackle organised drug and immigration crime more effectively. The report said up to 80 per cent of the heroin trafficked from Afghanistan to western and central Europe comes via Turkey, although seizures of EU bound cocaine are increasing.