European Council President Donald Tusk has heaped praise on the migrant deal reached by the EU and Turkey. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is pushing for the establishment of special security zones in Syria, near its border with Turkey, where refugees can find shelter.

"We are starting to see results. Since the March agreement, we have seen a sharp reduction of the illegal migration flow across the Aegean. Our return operations are working in tandem with resettlement of several nationals from Turkey to EU member states demonstrating the desire shift from illegal to legal migration," Tusk said.

"I have always in my talks with the Prime Minister pleaded in favour of creating so-called safe zones, zones in which we can provide assurance and security guarantees and that has to be of the utmost immediate importance. Also, in our negotiations for a ceasefire, such areas or zones can be easily identified along the Turkey-Syria border. We have worked to see that happen and we have worked with great energy in that direction. The safer the people feel the less urgent the need for them to leave their country," Merkel said.