A common EU migration policy is needed

In connection with the Appeal of 9 May, which was signed by numerous key figures from different political backgrounds and social leanings, including the EESC president, a conference was held in Paris on 15 October on the theme: Reinventing Europe: roadmap for a new European renaissance. The closing speech was given by the French president, François Hollande, while other participants included Michel Barnier, Maria João Rodriguez, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Luca Visentini, Sylvie Goulard and Jo Leinen.

During his speech in the round table Towards an appropriate answer to the challenge of migrants and the refugee crisis, Mr Dassis presented the EESC's position on migration and the refugee situation as expressed in the synthesis report that was unanimously adopted at the Committee's March plenary session.

The EESC president called for a common EU migration policy, while he emphasised that migrants and refugees have similarities in terms of their social integration but differ as to their reception: "We are morally and legally obliged to welcome them in a humane way and there would be no problem if there was an allocation of refugees in the EU Member States and between regions, according to their capacity", Georges Dassis said.

In conclusion, the president of the European Economic and Social Committee expressed his full support for the proposals that the European Commission has made regarding the migration and refugee crises.