Merkel heads to Turkey in bid to fix Europe's refugee crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was scheduled to travel to Istanbul on Sunday desperate to secure Turkey's help in stemming the flow of migrants from the Middle East to Europe, but without being seen to sacrifice their human rights.

Dubbed a "punch-bag" for her own party by German media due to frustrations over the crisis, Merkel wants to cement a European deal with Turkey on aid and closer ties in return for help in encouraging refugees there to stay put.

Merkel has resisted pressure to tighten Germany's border controls and turn away refugees arriving from Austria, even as Germany expects 800,000 to 1 million new arrivals this year.

By going to Istanbul just two weeks before elections in Turkey, Merkel risks Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan drawing her into his party's election campaign amid growing European concerns about freedom of speech in Turkey's fragile democracy.

"She has maneuvered herself into such a 'no win' situation," said Ekin Deligoez, a Turkish-born German lawmaker with the opposition Greens.

"And in such a situation, Mrs. Merkel comes along with the wish for friendship! Erdogan knows that and he is using it," Deligoez said, one of 3.5 million people living in Germany who are Turkish nationals or of Turkish origin.

Just two months ago, Merkel was practically able to dictate terms to Greece over an aid plan to tackle its debt crisis. But over neighboring Turkey, she has far less leverage to get her way, particularly as just 10 days ago Merkel reiterated her opposition to Turkey joining the European Union.

That comment came before an EU offer to Turkey last week of an "action plan" including "re-energized" talks on joining the bloc, as well as aid and the prospect of easier travel visas, in return for its help stemming the migrant flow, a problem Merkel has called a test of historic proportions.

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said on Friday that the plan had not taken final shape.