European Economic
and Social Committee
A new migration policy and a Common European Asylum System based on solidarity is needed, EESC president says
"The EESC has long advocated a new common European legal migration policy and an efficient and equitable Common European Asylum System", Georges Dassis emphasised in his speech delivered at the high-level conference on migration management which was organised by the European Parliament earlier today.
The aim of the conference was to find viable solutions regarding the migration crisis and to meet the expectations of European citizens in this area. Political leaders, specialists and stakeholders discussed the issue of shared responsibility between Member States, the internal security of the European Union, the root causes of migration and how to ensure a stable socio-economic environment and prosperity in third countries.
The president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, addressed the participants as well.
Mr Dassis presented the position of the EESC in relation to the migration and refugee crisis, mentioning that the EESC had been the first EU body to have launched 11 fact-finding missions to Member States and Turkey. He also welcomed the decision of the European Commission to take action against Member States that do not fulfill their obligations regarding refugees' protection.
The EESC president also noted that a distinction should be made between refugees and economic migrants. Regarding refugees, he stated that the EU has a moral and legal obligation to welcome them with solidarity and give asylum to those fleeing war, while we need to create legal pathways for economic migrants, explaining at the same time that it is impossible to host all the millions of people who want to reside in Europe.
In conclusion, and in relation to the EU cooperation with third countries, Mr Dassis said that "we need to support conflict resolution, promote human rights protection and the principles of democracy."
Opinions adopted by the EESC
Establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration