European and Turkish leaders last night closed in on a "deal" they believe could be the silver bullet that will stem the flow of migrants into the European Union.
Following a day of talks in Brussels, the leaders emerged into a series of 1am news conferences hailing their new proposal to be a "breakthrough".
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "This is a real game-changer.
"What we agreed upon in principle is a good option and is legally feasible but needs more discussion. We will make clear that the only viable way to come to Europe is through legal channels."
The proposal is based on an agreement between the EU and Turkey which, in one respect, seems remarkably simple: All "irregular migrants" who arrive on the Greek islands in boats from Turkey, including Syrians escaping war, will be sent back to Turkey.
A child stands by the fence close to the Greek-Macedonian border
For every Syrian citizen returned to Turkey, another Syrian - who has remained in Turkey and not tried the illegal route to the EU - will be eligible for legal asylum and resettlement in Europe.
Those who are sent back to Turkey but who are genuine refugees will end up at the back of the queue of those eligible for EU resettlement.
European Council President Donald Tusk said: "The days of irregular migration to Europe are over".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel first discussed the plan at a meeting with her Turkish counterpart at the Turkish embassy in Brussels on Sunday night.
Under the plan, she said that "irregular migration will be turned into regular migration".
It is hoped that the one-out, one-in proposal will discourage people from trying to enter Europe illegally because they know they will be turned straight around.
French President Francois Hollande added his support: "If security at borders is guaranteed, if Turkey respects its duty in terms of readmission - it is a complete system which will allow us to come back to Schengen (the EU open border policy).
"We finally have a coherent European action based on objectives and instruments that can be useful."
Turkey's Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, first tabled the proposal in return for specific demands from the EU, including €6bn (£4.6bn) in humanitarian aid for refugees currently in Turkey, accelerated talks on Turkey's proposed membership of the EU and visa free travel to the EU for Turkish citizens.
Mr Davutoglu said: "There was a need of a bold decision. Yesterday, before coming here, we studied the case in a careful manner and we brought some careful proposals.
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