In the shade of continued tension between Turkey and Russia, the EU leaders gathered in Brussels to sign off on a deal with Turkey aimed at addressing the refugee crisis. The talks, according to Reuters, could open the ‘next chapter’ of negotiations with Turkey in its accession talks to the EU. Economic and political benefits are at stake for Turkey in its negotiations concerning the migrant flow to the EU.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk says the EU-Turkey talks at the EU summit will include a focus on “re-energizing relations with Turkey” and re-opening entry talks that have stalled since 2005. He says that the main goal was to stem the flow of migrants to Europe. “We have reached an agreement, which, I hope will be accepted by all parties today,” he said.

Part of the agreement includes a European interest in Turkey spending some 3 billion euros for the next year of two on improving the life of 2.3 million Syrians now living in Turkey so they are less likely to take boats to nearby Greek islands. On its part, Turkey wants more funds to the 3 billion euros for refugee care that has already been benchmarked by the EU. Turkey also wants easier travel visas and re-energized talks on joinint the EU.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is due to meet the 24 EU national leaders for three hours from 15.00 GMT.

It should be noted that measures the EU has taken in recent months have done little to control the migrant flow. Sunday’s summit was called days ago as Brussels tried to clinch a deal offered a month ago but which has been complicated by Turkey’s downing of the Ru-24 Russian warplane at the Syria border.

There is  degree of nervousness on the part of Turkey that is heightened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision not to attend the talks himself.