Brussels, 04/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe is currently preparing guidelines to help the countries of Europe that could be faced with huge migrant inflows from Libya, Egypt or Tunisia. The guidelines would, in particular, help countries to deal with migrant issues in respect of human rights, explained Thorbjørn Jagland, Council of Europe Secretary General, speaking on Friday 4 March after a meeting in Brussels with Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
The aim of the meeting in Brussels was especially to take stock of the European response to the Libyan crisis and of the transition process in Tunisia and Egypt. Jagland pointed out the added value of good cooperation with the EU when faced with these new challenges, and the need for international cooperation, especially in relation to Libya. On Tunisia, Jagland insisted that assistance should be provided for preparing new elections or a new constitution but warned against any premature election held before a new electoral law is adopted. The secretary general spoke of the concern felt by the opposition in Tunisia and in Egypt, fearing that elections held too soon would result in an unfair process that is not open to everyone. Such fears should be carefully heeded, said Jagland. He warned against any attempt to impose an “outside” model on the region.
In Libya, the most urgent thing of all is to assist the refugees and to address the humanitarian crisis and then to tackle action being taken by Colonel Gaddafi. Speaking on the military action envisaged, the secretary general said nothing about the merits of a no-fly zone but said it was a “bad idea to invade the country”.
When it comes to the immigration potential from the region, Thørland Jagland said that, in addition to the guidelines, financial support could be provided for the frontline countries. However, Jagland spoke of how important it was for the countries concerned to ensure respect of human rights. He called for an individual analysis of the migrant situation and not a group analysis. (S.P./transl.jl)