An EU deal with Turkey to stem the migrant crisis was last night in chaos as the UN warned it could be illegal.

European leaders hope to finalise the plan next week for Turkey to take back those crossing the Aegean Sea, in return for giving Ankara more than £4billion in aid – including £500million from Britain.

Turkey is also demanding that its citizens – nearly 80million – are allowed to travel to continental Europe without visas.

But at the heart of the deal is a controversial refugee exchange programme that would see the EU admit one refugee directly from Turkey for each Syrian it took back from the Greek islands.

All migrants intercepted as they head to Greece on boats will be returned to Turkey. They will not be part of any exchange deal.

However, even senior EU officials have admitted there are doubts about the legality of the proposals and there are fears that the forcible return of people who have paid thousands to smugglers to come to Europe could lead to violence.

Turkey is home to some 2.7million Syrian refugees and Filippo Grandi, the UN’s high commissioner for refugees, told the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday he is ‘deeply concerned about any arrangement that would involve the blanket return of anyone from one country to another without spelling out the refugee protection safeguards’.

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Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (left) shakes hands with European council President Donald Tusk after the EU summit in Brussels where Ankara tabled a 'one-for-one' plan to take back one illegal migrant for every genuine refugee that is resettled in Europe from Turkey

European council president, Donald Tusk, centre, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, left, and President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, right, speak at a press conference in Brussels revealing no deal had yet been reached

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed assurances from Turkey that it would make greater effort to 'contain irregular migration'

Amnesty International called the proposed mass return of migrants a ‘death blow to the right to seek asylum’, while Tory MEP and former home office minister Timothy Kirkhope said it would ‘almost certainly’ be challenged in the European courts.

European Council president Donald Tusk, who is in charge of brokering the deal, admitted the end of Monday’s summit where the framework was agreed: ‘We have to be cautious with some details – for example the legal aspects.’

Ankara last night tabled the 'one-for-one' plan to take back all illegal Syrian migrants in exchange for the EU resettling an equal number of genuine refugees directly from Turkey.

After 12 hours of talks in Brussels, EU leaders hailed the offer as a 'game-changing' breakthrough in the bloc's attempts to stem the flow of asylum seekers into the Continent.

But critics condemned it as a 'dirty' and 'catastrophic' deal amid fears it could make the problem worse by creating a 'migrant merry-go-round'.

Turkey has also been accused of holding Europe to ransom by demanding it doubles its current offer of funding to €6billion to deal with the 2.7million refugees in the country.

The deal could create an incentive for Turkey to allow many more illegal Syrian refugees through to Greece because for every one sent back, Europe would then take a Syrian from Turkish camps, which would not have happened before.

From left, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir, and Merkel pictured at the summit

This could potentially bring hundreds of thousands more migrants into Europe by the time the deal expires in December 2018.

It also raises security concerns because it would be reliant on Turkey correctly determining who is a genuine asylum seeker.

The proposed deal came as Turkey and Greece vowed to work closelyon a plan to send back migrants rejected by Europe, laying aside historic differences in an agreement they hope will end illegal flows of people across the Aegean Sea.

HOW 'MIGRANT MERRY-GO-ROUND' COULD BRING MORE INTO THE EU The 'one-for-one' scheme aims to reduce the the incentives for individuals to pay smugglers to go from Turkey to the Greek islands because they face just being sent back. It hopes to foster the idea that people have more of a chance of getting asylum in Europe if they wait in Turkish camps. However, this also creates an incentive for Turkey to allow many more Syrians to the Greek islands because for every Syrian returned from there to Turkey, Europe will take a Syrian from the Turkish camps, which would not have happened before the deal. So, for example, if 25,000 Syrians were returned from Lesbos, Turkey would get 25,000 Syrians taken from their camps and resettled in Europe. The 'one-for-one' scheme only applies to Syrians, however, so economic migrants from countries like Morocco and Tunisia would not be included. Advertisement

As part of the deal, backed by British Prime Minister David Cameron, Turkey has also demanded visa-free travel in Europe for its citizens by June and faster talks on it joining the EU, all moves critics say will only intensify the crisis.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: 'EU actions are going from bad to catastrophic. Visa-free access to the EU for Turks will only encourage more economic migrants.

'Turkey is a state with a terrible human rights record which has facilitated ISIS fighters and finance.

'It's completely wrong-headed of Cameron to support this move and indeed full Turkish accession.

'How will an economically failing, migrant-flooded EU look in ten years' time?'

David Davis, Tory spokesman for the Grassroots Out campaign, said: 'We are being held to ransom by the Turkish government. This whole charade proves what pitiful influence we have within the EU.

'The fact we are set to give Turkey £500million to help them deal with their own crisis – and then allow 77million Turks visa-free access to Schengen by the summer as a bonus – demonstrates that the EU is a very weak negotiator in these matters, and is a club we are better off not being a part of.'

Human rights groups have also been scathing about a Europe preaching democracy but cutting a deal with a Turkish government accused of persecuting opponents.

Many are concerned about a quickfire process of deporting everyone back to Turkey with little regard for individuals.

As such, the UN's refugee agency (UNHR) and human rights group Amnesty International claim the whole deal could be illegal.

Speaking in Geneva today, UNHCR Europe bureau director Vincent Cochetel warned that collective expulsion of foreigners is prohibited under international law.

Amnesty International also claimed the scheme was legally flawed, adding that plans to designate Turkey as a safe country for migrants are 'alarmingly short-sighted and inhumane'.

The head of the group's European office, Iverna McGowan, said: 'Turkey has forcibly returned refugees to Syria and many refugees in the country live in desperate conditions without adequate housing.'

She said that 'by no stretch of imagination can Turkey be considered a safe third country that the EU can cozily outsource its obligations to.'

European Union lawmakers say they will keep a close eye to ensure that people fleeing conflict are not denied asylum.

The head of the EU parliament's Civil Liberties Committee members will meet with Greek and EU officials 'to ensure that basic conditions for asylum claims are met.'

European leaders said they had reached 'outlines' for a possible deal but another summit has been arranged for March 17 to continue talks

The leaders, including David Cameron, pictured far right, gathered for a traditional photo at the EU meeting in Brussels, Belgium

Tense: Prime Minister David Cameron leaves the EU Summit in Brussels after 12 hours of talks aimed at tackling the migrant crisis

Chairman Claude Moraes says 'it is important that the EU does not ignore its values in the face of people fleeing war and persecution by simply creating push-backs.'

The summit also came just three days after Turkish police raided the offices of Zaman, a top-selling newspaper critical of Turkey's government.

Leaders including Prime Minister David Cameron raised concerns with his Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu about freedom of the Press during their lunch yesterday.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The PM underlined the importance of protections for a free Press and human rights in Turkey.'

Meanwhile, in separate comments, Amnesty International warned today that Turkish guards routinely shoot at Syrian refugees stranded at the border.

Researcher Andrew Gardner told RT: 'There have been many reports of incidents on the border.

'We collected information on this as early as 2014, when we received many reports of people being shot when they were trying to cross the border irregularly.'

The proposed deal came as Turkey and Greece vowed to work closelyon a plan to send back migrants rejected by Europe, laying aside historic differences in an agreement they hope will end illegal flows of people across the Aegean Sea

After discussions between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, it was agreed that a readmission agreement would help to reduce the 'unbearable flow' of migrants heading into Europe

He said Turkish guards often fire shots at refugees as a precaution.

He added: 'What the Turkish parties have told us is that they don’t know who these people are, that people could be members of armed groups, they could be smugglers.'

After discussions between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, it was agreed that a readmission agreement would help to reduce the 'unbearable flow' of migrants heading into Europe.

'(It) sends a clear message to migrants coming from third countries, rather than countries at war, ... that there is neither the political will (to allow their passage) nor the ability to cross to Europe,' Mr Tsipras said after meetings in Turkey's Aegean coastal city of Izmir.

'This is the reality we ought to sincerely convey to them in order to stop, to reduce, this unbearable flow for our countries.'

The European Commission raised concerns about Turkey in a scathing report in November that found there had been a 'serious backsliding' on human rights.

Officials in Brussels accused the Turkish government of undermining the judiciary and highlighted how journalists had been prosecuted in criminal cases.

John O'Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University in Ireland, tweeted: 'EU norms of pluralism are being completely eviscerated. By the European Union itself. Shame on this dirty deal with Turkey.'

The Swedish coast guard rescues refugees between Turkey and the Greek island of Lesbos and brings them in the port of Mytilene

A young migrant waits to cross the Greek-Macedonian border at a makeshift camp near the village of Idomeni, Greece, on Tuesday

TURKS HOLD EUROPE TO RANSOM AS THEY DEMAND CASH TO HALT MIGRANT TIDE... AND THE UK WILL PAY £500MILLION David Cameron last night offered to hand £500million of British taxpayers' money to Turkey as it held Europe to ransom over the migrant crisis. The Prime Minister and fellow EU leaders said they would give in to a Turkish demand for €6billion (£4.6billion) in aid – and drew up plans to let the country's 77million citizens come to continental Europe without visas from June. Downing Street even suggested they would be willing to give yet more cash if Turkey stems the number of migrants arriving in Europe, with a British official saying: 'We're not going to turn the tap off.' In Ankara, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan boasted that his prime minister had gone to force the EU to stump up a promised three billion euro fund for refugees agreed in November. 'It's been four months. They are yet to deliver,' he said. 'Mr prime minister is in Brussels. I hope he will return with the money.' David Davis, Tory spokesman for the Grassroots Out campaign, said: 'We are being held to ransom by the Turkish government. This whole charade proves what pitiful influence we have within the EU. 'The fact we are set to give Turkey £500million to help them deal with their own crisis – and then allow 77million Turks visa-free access to Schengen by the summer as a bonus – demonstrates that the EU is a very weak negotiator in these matters, and is a club we are better off not being a part of.' Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: 'EU actions are going from bad to catastrophic. Visa-free access to the EU for Turks will only encourage more economic migrants. 'Turkey is a state with a terrible human rights record which has facilitated Isis fighters and finance. It's completely wrong-headed of Cameron to support this move and indeed full Turkish accession. 'How will an economically failing, migrant-flooded EU look in ten years' time?' Advertisement

Sodden migrants wearing plastic ponchos, pictured, queue under the rain to receive food at a makeshift camp at the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni

The camp at Idomeni, pictured, came under a deluge of water as the weather turned, leaving migrants to get soaked as they walked around

One child is protected by just a yellow poncho at the camp on the Greek-Macedonian border with little light to illuminate their path

After a day of fraught negotiations, these are the main points of the deal:

Turkey has offered to take back all migrants who cross to Greece illegally;

In return, Ankara wants one genuine asylum seeker currently living in Turkey to be resettled in Europe for every one readmitted from the EU;

Turkey has also demanded that the EU doubles its €3billion offer of funding to help Turkey deal with the crisis;

It also wants visa-free travel for its citizens to the bloc by June and accelerated talks on Turkey's application for EU membership;

David Cameron has offered to hand £500million of British taxpayers' money to Turkey as part of the aid deal and may give more, with one British official saying: 'We're not going to turn the tap off';

The British Prime Minister inisted the UK was exempt from a new asylum deal aimed at distributing migrants equally across Europe;

Key details remained to be worked out, however, and the 28 leaders ordered more work by their officials with a view to reaching an ambitious package deal with Turkey at their next scheduled summit on March 17-18.

Mr Davutoglu warned leaders that they needed to recognise his nation was 'indispensable' in tackling the crisis and said it was 'ready to be a member of the EU'.

Speaking after the summit, Mr Davutoglu said: 'With this game-changing position in fact our objective is to discourage illegal migration, to prevent human smugglers, to help people who want to come to Europe through encouraging legal migration in a disciplined and regular manner.

'Turkey is ready to work with the EU, and Turkey is ready to be a member of the EU as well.'

The offer was described as a 'welcome approach' by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Mr Davutoglu did not disclose how much money Turkey was seeking in aid but he said that the funds would only go to Syrian refugees.

He added: 'Not one euro will go to Turkish citizens. Every penny will be spent for Syrian refugees.'

Hailing the draft deal late last night, Mr Cameron said that 'we do have the basis for a breakthrough which is the possibility that in future all migrants who arrive in Greece will be returned to Turkey.'

For its part, the EU sought to gain stronger commitments from Turkey to take back refugees who have reached European shores and ease a crisis that has left an estimated 13,000 to 14,000 souls encamped in the wintry cold on the Greece-Macedonia border.

'To stop refugees arriving in Greece, we have to cooperate with Turkey,' French President Francois Hollande said. Even though many saw the outlines of a deal, it was still too early to clinch it.

In Ankara, the Turkish capital, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the EU of failing to provide enough of the already pledged funds.

A group of men have no choice but to brave the elements in waterproof jackets as they wait at the makeshift camp at Idomeni, pictured

Some people resorted to creating makeshift tents at the camp, pictured, using blankets and anything else they can find as cover

Migrants trying to cross over to the Greek island of Lesbos abandoned belongings including English language books, pictured

BRITAIN IS EXEMPT FROM NEW ASYLUM DEAL TO DISTRIBUTE MIGRANTS ACROSS EU, CLAIMS DAVID CAMERON The Prime Minister says he will not let Brussels take control of deciding who should be given asylum in Britain. The European Commission has drawn up plans to shift the responsibility from individual states to the centralised European Asylum Support Office (EASO). But David Cameron yesterday said the country had 'an absolutely rock-solid opt-out from these things, so there's no prospect of Britain joining a common asylum process in Europe'. Brussels will this month unveil plans to revise the Dublin Regulation that requires would-be refugees to apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. Under current rules, the UK is allowed to return migrants to their first point of entry in the continent. Since 2003, more than 12,000 people have been removed from Britain to other European countries under the rules, which the Home Office has claimed is 'many more than we have received in return'. However, one option to be presented by the commission will see the first-country principle removed and those designated as refugees by EASO shared out between countries using a quota system. Britain has an opt-out meaning it would not have to join the new scheme, but if it lost the ability to deport people who have entered other countries first, it would be embarrassing for Mr Cameron. Officials are keen to avoid a row on immigration months before the referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, and an EU source yesterday said this country could be given a special exemption allowing it to continue to apply the current rules and deport people, even if other countries agreed to revise the system. The European Commission will publish the list of options for reform on March 16 before a meeting of all 28 EU leaders in Brussels the following day. It is likely the eastern European countries would oppose plans to establish a permanent quota system to share out refugees. Mr Cameron yesterday also argued the UK would be affected by the migration crisis in the EU even if it was not a member. He said: 'Even outside the EU we'd be affected by a migration crisis like this, but at the end of the day we maintain our borders and our own way of doing things because we have the best of both worlds.' Advertisement

The belongings were strewn across the beach at Ayvacik on the Aegean sea cost, with Lesbos visible in the background, pictured

He also criticized Europe for refusing to accept asylum seekers more readily, linking that policy to needless deaths as thousands opt to cross illegally by sea from the Turkish coast to offshore Greek islands.

'We are not sending them. They are going by sea and many of them are dying. We have rescued close to 100,000 from the sea,' Erdogan said in a speech.

Turkey is seeking a new EU commitment to take Syrians and other high-percentage refugee applicants via safe travel routes, such as at the land border between Turkey and Greece, to reduce drowning deaths in the Aegean Sea.

Overshadowing the summit diplomacy is Turkey's questionable human rights record. On Friday, Turkish police stormed the headquarters of an anti-government newspaper to enforce a court order placing the paper and its sister outlets under new management.

Police spent the weekend using tear gas and water cannons to quell street protests.

Hollande said that EU cooperation with Turkey should not be interpreted as European acceptance of Turkish rights restrictions. 'The press must be free everywhere, including in Turkey,' he said.

A desperate plea for help is scrawled on one of the tents at the Idomeni camp, pictured, as refugees wait to learn their fate

One woman is pictured at the border camp carrying her belongings balanced on her head while she walks with her child

Of immediate concern was the plight of people stuck at Greece's northern border with non-EU member Macedonia, which for the past year has been one of the most popular routes for asylum seekers to reach central Europe via the Balkans.

Hundreds of thousands of people have used the route in recent months to try to reach Germany, Sweden and other preferred destinations.

Macedonia now has effectively sealed off that route, a position backed by Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Hungary. Cash-strapped Greece has struggled to cope with the rapid buildup of humanity.

Those camped on the border vowed Monday to press on into Europe, regardless of what diplomats decide in Brussels.

'Whatever it takes, we will go. We have nothing to go back to. Our homes are destroyed,' said Lasgeen Hassan, a Syrian Kurd who hopes to reunite with relatives already in Germany.

Under a stalled deal clinched in November, the EU has already pledged three billion euros (£2.3bn) to aid refugees on Turkish territory in return for Ankara's cooperation in tackling Europe's worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.

REPORT REVEALS MORE THAN 1,000 MIGRANTS 'KEPT IN SQUALOR' IN BRITAIN DURING HEIGHT OF CRISIS More than 1,000 migrants a month were detained in Britain in squalid conditions at the height of the crisis last summer, a damning report has revealed. Foreigners caught after sneaking across the Channel were held in 'unacceptable' surroundings, says the new prisons watchdog. They slept on concrete floors, in crowded, smelly rooms and with insufficient food or showers. Many had lived in makeshift camps in Calais before climbing aboard lorries, ferries and freight trains to the UK. Once discovered, they were put in temporary holding centres that 'fundamentally lacked decency'. From July to September, 3,603 migrants – including 381 children – were detained at Dover Seaport or Frontier House in Folkestone to await processing. Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke says the Home Office and private firm Tascor were 'overwhelmed'. The Home Office did not respond to a request for comment last night while Tascor said it worked to 'ensure detainee welfare was not compromised'. Advertisement

Children, pictured, cover up to protect themselves against the element at a protest at Idomeni where refugees want the borders opened

Another man tries to protect himself from the heavy rain and wrap up warm using a large blanket, pictured, at the camp at Idomeni

Although Turkey has complained it is yet to see any of these initial funds, a European source said that if agreed, the extra money 'would not be a blank check' and would come with specific demands of the Turks.

'The Turks have asked for more money: three billion euros before 2018,' Mr Schulz said after attending an EU-Turkey summit dedicated to the migrant crisis. 'It will require additional budgetary procedures. The European Parliament is prepared to speed up the procedures.'

It comes as Hungary plans to cut subsidies for refugees and drastically reduce the space available in migrant detention centres, in a move that a human rights body complains is aimed at forcing refugees to leave the country.

According to draft legislation published by the Hungarian government yesterday, from April 1 those who were granted some kind of protection or asylum will be allowed to stay in a camp for only one month, instead of the current two months.

The decree also said the maximum space available in holding centres should be identical to that prescribed in prisons.

The government, which has imposed hardline policies throughout Europe's migrant crisis, will also eliminate some subsidies, such as funds aimed at supporting education, for those who receive protection.

Last year, just 508 asylum seekers received some kind of protection in Hungary, including asylum, according to data from the immigration office.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing government has been one of the harshest opponents to the refugee crisis, having erected a steel fence on the country's southern borders to keep the migrants out and introduced tough legislation to punish those who tried to cross into Hungary illegally.

Meanwhile, David Cameron yesterday declared there is 'no prospect' of Britain joining a common European Union asylum system and stressed that the UK keeps its own borders to prevent migrants getting into the country.

Arriving in Brussels for talks on the migration crisis, the British Prime Minister insisted that the UK's opt-out from the Schengen agreement meant there could be no question of Britain joining any new asylum quota process.

UK'S PLAN TO REDUCE FLOW OF MIGRANTS ACROSS AEGEAN SEA BRANDED A 'SHAMBLES' BY EX-NAVY CHIEF Britain's plan to reduce the flow of migrants from Turkey to Greece was branded a 'shambles' last night, as it emerged no deal had been made on where to take those rescued from the Aegean Sea. The uncertainty raised the prospect that a British ship already deployed on a Nato mission could have to rescue migrants in distress – but have nowhere to take them. Mounts Bay, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel, is being sent to help hunt for people-smugglers in the area. Last month, the Defence Secretary said Turkey had agreed that migrants saved in the Aegean – even if they were in Greek waters – would be sent back. But after discussions in London, Michael Fallon told MPs migrants rescued in Greek waters would 'likely' be taken to Europe. An MoD source said no agreement had been made, adding: 'We can't just send them back, it hasn't been negotiated properly.' Admiral Lord West, former head of the Navy, said: 'There is no clarity with what we are doing ... it is still a bit of a shambles.' Advertisement

Sprawling shanty town: Tents are spread across acres of land at a temporary refugee camp on the Greek-Macedonian border near the northern Greek village of Idomeni where thousands of migrants are stranded after Skopje limited border crossings to a trickle

Tented slum: At a summit in Brussels, EU leaders are seeking to shore up support for Greece where thousands of migrants are stranded

A girl plays with a hula hoop in a makeshift migrant camp at the Greek-Macedonian border near the Greek village of Idomeni on Monday

Refugee children play on the railway tracks as they wait to enter Macedonia in the refugee camp near Idomeni, northern Greece

A man holds his child close to the gate at the where some 13,000 migrants are camping while they wait to cross into Macedonia

A refugee boy looks out from his tent in a camp on Greek-Macedonian border, near Idomeni, northern Greece

'We have an absolutely rock-solid opt-out from these things so there is no prospect of Britain joining a common asylum process in Europe,' he told reporters.

'We will have our own asylum approach, our own way of doing things, keeping our borders. It underlines the best of both worlds, the special status that we have.'

Mr Cameron's comments followed reports that the European Commission is preparing to bring forward proposals to centralise control of asylum claims.

He also said Britain would be affected by the migrant crisis even if it votes to leave the European Union in the referendum in June.

'Even outside the EU, we would be affected by the migration crisis like this, he added. 'But at the end of the day we maintain our borders and our own way of doing things because we have the best of both worlds.'

Under the EU's current asylum system, known as the Dublin rules and which apply to Britain, individual countries must register and process asylum claims on a national basis and that responsibility falls to the first EU state a refugee enters.

ANTI-IMMIGRANT PARTY SCORES BIG GAINS IN GERMAN ELECTIONS AS PUBLIC TURN ON MERKEL'S POLICIES The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party (AFD) scored massive gains in municipal weekend elections which reflect growing public anger at the open-door refugee policy of Angela Merkel. Polls for councils in the state of Hesse saw the AFD make significant inroads on the two main parties – the Chancellor's conservative CDU and the centre-left SPD – to come in third with 13.2 percent of the vote, knocking the Greens into fourth place. Frankfurt CDU politician Markus Frank said: 'The preliminary result of the AFD is frightening. I had expected a maximum 5 per cent.' Local AFD party boss Peter Munch said his party would not seek to enter into coalition deals with the two mainstream parties. Voter turnout was exceptionally low at 48 percent – a sign of voter fatigue during the ongoing refugee crisis. Just weeks ago AFD chairman Frauke Petry provoked outrage among politicians when she advocated border guards opening fire with live ammunition on illegal asylum seekers. But days later, a poll found 29 percent of Germans agreed with her. Polls next Sunday in the states of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt could reinforce how Mrs Merkel is getting out of step with voters and prompt accusations she has undermined her party with her moral stand. Observers are saying state parliaments will be won and lost on the issue of refugees alone. Advertisement

Hundreds of refugees wait to enter Macedonia in front of the closed border gate at the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni, Greece

Migrant children hold on to the fence as they wait to enter Macedonia in front of the closed border gate at the Greek-Macedonian border

A Macedonian police officer closes the border gate in front of refugees waiting to enter Macedonia at the Greek-Macedonian border

Kept out: EU leaders are expected to declare the main Balkan migrant route closed, after Macedonia – backed by Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary – limited border crossings to a trickle. They will also push for Turkey to take back tens of thousands of migrants

A future system could see the EU centrally overseeing asylum applications – one of several ways proposed to prevent a repeat of countries like Greece and Italy handling hugely disproportionate numbers.

There are concerns that a revision to the Dublin rules could deprive Britain of the right to deport asylum-seekers to the state where they entered the EU.

The EU executive is due to present proposals for reforms of the system next week.

His comments came as EU leaders arrived for the summit to press Turkey to do more to stop migrants from entering Europe and to shore up support for Greece, where thousands of people are stranded.

They are expected to declare the main Balkan migrant route closed after Macedonia – backed by Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary – limited border crossings to a trickle.

Ahead of the summit, some 14,000 people were camped by Greece's border with Macedonia hoping desperately to be allowed to cross.

Refugees wait to enter Macedonia in front of the closed border gate at the Greek-Macedonian border near Idomeni, northern Greece

Humanitarian organisations estimate that the number of migrants stuck at the Greek-Macedonian border crossing had swelled to 14,000

Glum: A man holds a child as they sit with others near the gate at the Greek-Macedonian border. EU leaders are holding a summit with Turkey to back closing the Balkans route and urge Ankara to deport large numbers of economic migrants from overstretched Greece

Refugees play with a balloon as they wait to enter Macedonia in front of the closed border gate at the Greek-Macedonian border

A child plays on a rail track at the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni where thousands of migrants are stranded

The leaders are holding talks with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who said he hopes the summit will mark a turning point in EU-Turkey ties, adding that the meeting is as focused on Turkey's future EU membership as on the refugee emergency.

'Turkey is ready to work with the EU, and Turkey is ready to be a member of the EU as well,' Mr Davutoglu told reporters, expressing hope that the talks 'will be a success story and a turning point in our relations'.

However, Davutoglu wants faster moves to negotiate Turkish membership of the EU and an immediate easing of EU visa rules for Turks.

'The Turks are negotiating very hard,' a senior EU diplomat said. Another spoke of alarm that hard bargaining could disrupt talks to reunite Greek- and Turkish-speaking parts of Cyprus.

EU leaders are likely to tell him of concerns about human rights after the Turkish government seized control of a critical newspaper.

But EU officials said they will also be anxious not to alienate Ankara just as hopes are rising of a solution to the crisis.

No compromises: Prime Minister David Cameron arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, where he said there is 'no prospect' of Britain joining a European Union asylum system and stressed that the UK keeps its own borders so migrants can't get into the country

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a summit with Turkey on the migrant crisis on at the European Council in Brussels. EU leaders will press Turkey to do more to stop migrants from entering Europe and to shore up support for Greece, where thousands are stranded

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrives for the summit. He has urged his EU partners to put long-agreed migrant plans into action

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU leaders summit with Turkey in Brussels to discuss the migrant crisis

European Council President Donald Tusk, the former Polish premier who chaired yesterday's talks, had barely left a meeting with President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday and declared cautious optimism on the migrant crisis when police seized the newspaper.

'It's a slap in the face,' one senior EU official told Reuters after EU envoys met in Brussels on Sunday evening.

A draft statement prepared for their talks says they will ensure 'comprehensive, large scale and fast-track returns to Turkey of all irregular migrants not in need of international protection.'

NATO said on Sunday a new naval force secured approval for operating in Turkish and Greek waters.

That will lend force to a deal with Turkey to take back migrants halted in its waters and those who reach Greek islands but fail to qualify for asylum.

Arriving for a meeting with Davutoglu on the sidelines of the summit, Greece's prime minister urged his EU partners to put long-agreed and long-delayed migrant plans into action.

Children living in the Calais Jungle take part in a demonstration against the destruction of their camp by offering white roses to police

Also taking part in the demonstration were a group of Iranian hunger strikers some of whom had sewn their lips together in protest

Police are in the process of bulldozing half of the Jungle camp in Calais and evicting thousands of migrants

Protesters living in the Calais Jungle migrant camp take part in a demonstration against the destruction of their camp by French police

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told reporters that 'rules are for all, and everybody has to implement our common decisions.'

'If there are agreements that are not implemented there are not agreements at all,' he said.

EU leaders agreed in September to share 160,000 refugees arriving in Greece and Italy over two years.

As of March 3, fewer than 700 people had been relocated to other European countries.

Human rights group Amnesty International hit out at the leaders for using Turkey as a buffer to stop migrants, calling the move 'a dangerous and deliberate ploy to shirk their responsibilities to people fleeing war and persecution.'