Brussels, 10/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - In order to reach an ambitious common response to the situation in Libya, the European Council of 11 March will tackle numerous aspects of the crisis, not least the humanitarian aspects as Gaddafi continues to bomb his own people. EU27 heads of state and government must therefore prepare for the eventuality of a massive inflow of migrants, by making additional resources available (in addition to the €30 million already committed to the problem) to help address the humanitarian situation arising from the mass exodus of migrants from Libya, said Herman Van Rompuy, Permanent President of the European Council in his letter of invitation. He goes on to add that it will also be appropriate to tackle the challenges of illegal immigration.
The foreign ministers of the 27 EU member states and High Representative Catherine Ashton reiterated on Thursday 10 March in Brussels that, at the top of the EU list of priorities, there are: humanitarian aid, the safety of EU nationals and their ongoing evacuation, and the safe repatriation of third country nationals. They underlined the importance of the assessment of humanitarian needs currently underway in Libya and at the borders, and the need to find a speedy solution to prevent war. Italian Minister Franco Frattini called on the EU and its member states to continue, in the short term, to cooperate with the IOM and to strengthen Frontex activity and, in the longer term, for the EU to support the economic reintegration into their own countries of displaced persons from Libya, as well as the promotion of economic integration of foreign workers in Libya. British Foreign Minister William Hague said the Libyan opposition “will be a very important way to channel assistance, humanitarian aid”.
Prospect of NATO humanitarian support mission. On Thursday, the NATO summit gave the go-ahead for planning a humanitarian aid mission including a chapter on evacuation for migrants of Libyan origin to be found in Egypt and Tunisia. (A.N./A.By./transl.jl)