Impact of the EU–Turkey Statement on Smugglers’ Operations in the Aegean and Migrants’ Decisions to Engage with Smugglers

The article reviews how and to what extent the EU–Turkey Statement of 18 March 2016 has affected the modus operandi of migrant smugglers in the Aegean region and migrants’ decisions to interact with them for irregular crossings from Turkey to Greece. It draws on field research, including 46 in-depth interviews with migrants in Izmir, Turkey, a transit city and migrant smuggling hub. Based on analysis of these narratives and participant observation, it argues that the Statement has generated changes concerning the smugglers’ modalities and services while not affecting migrants’ decisions to engage with them to reach Europe. Although the Statement aimed to decrease irregular migration, disrupt smugglers’ “business models,” and open safe routes for migrants, it has instead increased their vulnerability and exploitation to an extent. Accordingly, the article reveals the paradoxical and controversial aspects of the Statement vis-à-vis the promises and consequences it generated in the field.