15.09.2015

Elmar Brok, Chair of the EP Foreign affairs committee said today: „The Member States have to take their responsibility and act now to tackle the ongoing refugees flows according to the EU obligations, values and in a spirit of solidarity.“

„We are running out of time – the meeting on 8 October is the EU’s final chance to agree an organised response to the biggest refugee crisis since World War II in Europe“ added Claude Moraes, Chair of the Committee on civil liberties.  

The current situation illustrates the urgent need to adopt mandatory quotas and to really address the root causes of migration, with a holistic approach, a comprehensive EU Foreign policy combining development and trade but also with the fight against climate change and, specifically tailored strategies for Africa, for the Middle East and North Africa region notably by focussing on fighting ISIS.

„The VP-HR Mogherini and the European Commission must be fully supported in their endeavours. At the meeting of the JHA Council of 14 September, Member States have not been up to the challenges and to their moral and legal obligations towards refugees. Member States have also to contribute to the trust funds established by the European Commission.

The EU must implement a joint strategy with international partners such as the USA and Russia in order to put an end to the proxy wars in the region. The EU financial support for the UNHCR, the refugees camps and the partners countries of the region facing this unprecedented crisis should urgently be increased.“ Mr Brok concluded.

Note to the editors:

On 15 September, the EP Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) held a joint meeting together with the subcommittee on Human rights (DROI) on the issue of current migration flows in the presence of VP-HR Federica Mogherini, Commissioner Avramopoulos, High Commissioner Guterres and of Members of Parliaments of several of EU partner countries in the Southern neighbourhood (Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey).