Turkey hosting refugees and the EU providing funds for them are core elements of an ongoing EU-Turkey deal. 

What’s new is that Turkey’s President Erdogan has announced plans to resettle refugees currently residing in Turkey in what he sees as a safe zone in north east Syria. 

He has warned that he will open the borders and send refugees towards Europe if EU member countries do not back his plans. 

Three European Parliament committees debated the latest developments with European Commission officials who are responsible for the fund.