Tsipras to highlight the need for Europe to tackle the migration problem on the basis of solidarity
Migration is a European problem and must be tackled by Europe on the basis of solidarity and the sharing of responsibilities fairly, with respect for international law, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to underline at the dinner of the EU member-state heads of state and government and the informal summit to be held on Thursday in Salzburg, Austria, according to sources.
The same sources said that the prime minister will highlight the need for Europe to provide a comprehensive solution to the problem adding that Greece will support the immediate establishment of a European Border Guard and Coastguard which will include a European returns mechanism.
The Greek Prime Minister is also expected to point out:
1. The need for a rapid upgrading of the European asylum service to speed up the examination of applications.
2. That the debate on the refugee issue must not only concern internal security and the protection of the external borders, but also the impact on the countries affected.
3. The need to complete, without further delay, a revision of the European asylum system in the direction of solidarity and the need to establish effective mechanisms for legal migration from third countries and transitional relocation mechanisms, especially in crises such as Syria.
4. The need to address the root causes of migration and the need for substantial developmental support for the migrants' countries of origin in Asia and Africa: member states must draw lessons from the impact of EU foreign policy in recent years as a factor that has often worsened migratory flows.
5. The importance of cooperation with third countries and the organisation of a European Union-Arab League.
Tsipras is expected to support the establishment of the European Civil Protection Mechanism (RescEU), which will provide the member states with more means for dealing with natural disasters, underlining that fires in Greece, Portugal, France, Sweden and elsewhere have rendered this issue rather significant.
Tsipras' detailed programme is as follows:
Wednesday September 19
17.00: Participation in the preparatory session of the Party of European Socialists (PES).
19.30: Participation in the working dinner of the EU leaders on the issue of migration.
Thursday September 20
09.30-13.00: Participation in an informal summit plenary on internal security.
13.00-15.00: Working lunch on Brexit.
Source: amna-mpa
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