EU 'desires' to continue refugee deal with Turkey

European Commission Deputy Chief Spokeswoman on Thursday said both Turkey and the EU were doing their parts in the refugee deal to curb irregular migration.

In a daily news briefing, Mina Andreeva praised the relations with Turkey, which she said relied on "close partnership".

She said the commission valued the "strategic partnership" with Turkey on a wide range of issues from the refugee crisis to security. 

She also said EC President Jean-Claude Juncker had recently spoken with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Turkey and the EU are doing what is required in the refugee deal. Our relations rely on close partnership. We desire for it to continue this way," she added.

Ankara and the EU reached a deal in 2016 aimed at discouraging irregular migration to Europe through the Aegean Sea, including a €6 billion ($6.9 billion) aid package to help Turkey care for millions of refugees hosted in the country.