A common migration policy is needed in Europe

Copyrights: ETUC (European Trade Union Confedetation)
Copyrights: ETUC (European Trade Union Confedetation)

"Over the last two years war, persecution and poverty have forced more than one million people to seek refuge in Europe, following dangerous routes and risking their lives. Without the assistance of civil society in the reception of these people and the management of the humanitarian crisis, the outcome could have been even more disastrous", Georges Dassis said at the conference organised by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) on the refugee crisis issue, in Rome on 15 June. For the President of the EESC, it was an opportunity to present the main findings of the missions that the European Economic and Social Committee launched last December in 11 Members States and Turkey to meet with civil society organisations in order to identify needs and problems as well as best practices in handling the refugee crisis.

Mr. Dassis expressed the EESC opinion that there is a real need for a truly common European asylum system and that the EU should establish an effective transparent migration policy. In particular, it has a duty to welcome the refugees and to help them wherever they are in Europe, based on solidarity and honouring the EU history of civilisation and humanity  

In conclusion, Georges Dassis mentioned that: "The EESC believes that the current situation requires the European Union to develop safe humanitarian corridors for refugees from countries affected by war and threatened by terrorism, and do so in collaboration with the countries on whose territories are the most refugees."

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