Press release: Clash between Parliament and Council on migration

During today’s key debate with the European Council on Europe`s (lack of) asylum and immigration policy, the European Liberals and Democrats have taken a tough stance.

Cecilia Wikström, coordinator of the ALDE LIBE team, adds:

“How many more people have to die before the Council starts to realise that we need to revise the European asylum system and establish legal and safe ways for refugees to reach Europe?”

“Granting asylum to people fleeing wars, conflicts and human rights violations is not a matter of choice, but a duty and an act of solidarity that all the 28 Member States are bound to respect through both EU and International law. We have managed to build a monetary union and are on our way to create an energy union. Now it is time to build a humanitarian union!”

Clash between Parliament and Council on migration Vice-President Sophie in ´t Veld (D66, Netherlands) said:

“People have died unnecessarily. Since 1999 we have been talking about a common European asylum and immigration policy, but nothing has happened in the meantime. Last week’s European Council did not come forward with any proposals to remove incentives for immigrants to undertake the dangerous journey to Europe. By doing nothing, government leaders are just waiting for the next disaster in the Mediterranean to happen.”

“Restoring the budget for rescue operations is simply not good enough. We need to address the root causes. What we need is a functioning blue card - the possibility to apply for humanitarian visas in our embassies abroad and a European responsibility sharing mechanism.”

In ´t Veld is appalled by the exploitative claims of Farage and Orban:

“Some politicians are shamelessly exploiting this tragedy for their own populist, xenophobic, anti-EU agenda. Mr Farage is inventing scare stories about thousands of jihadists coming to Europe. Of course Mr Farage knows full well that this is complete and utter nonsense and that it is about as likely as thousands of Martians coming to Europe. But Mr Farage isn’t interested in the truth; he is only interested in getting elected. If anything, Europe has been exporting jihadists. Migrants have contributed greatly to the British economy and the prosperity that Mr Farage enjoys.”

“Or Mr Orban who is trying to overtake Jobbik on the right with his latest initiative, a public consultation with nasty, leading questions about migration. I do hope EPP finally agrees they can no longer tolerate Mr Orban in their political family.”