Migration: European Parliament proposes European long-term approach -LIBE committee gives green light to proposal on European humanitarian visa –

The ALDE Group welcomes the approval today by the Civil liberties committee of two key reports aiming to provide a new long-term European approach on migration. The draft strategic own-initiative report on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration, as well as the revision of the Schengen visa code, show the Parliament’s commitment to find durable solutions to the current refugee and migration system. ALDE urges Member States to implement the recommendations of the European Parliament.

Cecilia Wikström, ALDE spokesperson for migration and shadow rapporteur for the report on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration, said: ”This vote shows the European Parliament is willing to take the lead in solving the refugee crisis in Europe”.

”The result of the EU’s lack of control of its external borders and the lack of common responsibility and common solutions to the refugee crisis has led to a disastrous domino effect, in which country after country in Europe has introduced border controls, creating chaos for commuters and businesses”.

”A European quota system in which asylum seekers are distributed among member states based on population, GDP, and other relevant factors and the creation of legal and safe ways for refugees to come to Europe to seek asylum is the most rational, sustainable and humane solution to the current situation. I am happy that the members of the LIBE committee have today made this very clear”.

The visa code revision will allow people in need of international protection to apply for a humanitarian visa in Member States embassies or consulates outside the EU.