Brussels, 14/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 January in Strasbourg, the European Commission promised to step up action against human smugglers, following the tragic events over the Christmas holidays, where cargoes full of Syrian refugees were abandoned off the European coastline on several different occasions. These cargoes were mainly coming from Turkey.
Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said that “the recent events also show that smugglers are finding new routes to Europe and are employing new methods in order to exploit desperate people who are trying to escape conflict and war”. The Commissioner, from Greece, said that “the European Union, its agencies and the Member States have to step-up their cooperation and common action” and pointed out that these problems would be tackled in a global approach on migration, which the Commission intended to present in 2015. Avramopoulos explained that the Commission was currently examining the legal framework to be used against these smugglers. He also said that the EU already had a directive on human trafficking in the EU and that there are several instruments (including a framework decision) for fighting against the trafficking of migrants. The Commissioner would also like member states to provide the agencies with more operational capacity because the situation is not going to change as “Conflicts in our neighbourhood generate a constant influx of refugees towards Europe. This will not go away”.
He also indicated that more than 276,000 migrants arrived in the EU in 2014, a 155% increase on figures for 2013. Overall, “207,000 people crossed the Mediterranean irregularly”, explained the Commissioner, adding that since last September, more than 12 of these cargoes had arrived in Europe. Avramopoulos pointed out that cooperation with Turkey would be stepped up, given that, “Turkey has become one of the alternative routes for smugglers to reach the EU, we are in close contact with the Turkish authorities to quickly adapt our strategy”. In a more general perspective, the Commissioner explained that they wanted to hold discussions with third countries, particularly those in the Horn of Africa. This is one of the goals pursued in the Khartoum Process, launched in Rome last November.
At a strictly European level, the Commissioner highlighted the lack of reception facilities for Syrian refugees in Europe and that only 37,000 places had so far been offered, 30,000 of which were in Germany. The Commissioner said that it was clear that the EU had to take more action and increase the number of reception facilities available for refugees. He explained that a relocation forum for refugees had been set up by the Commission, which was supposed to examine the question of fair resettlement of refugees between the 28 countries of the EU. He explained that the principle underpinning this “distribution key” between member states was due to be discussed in March by EU Ministers for Home Affairs. He said that they did not want this key to be based on too many criteria or that the discussions went on for too long. He explained that the criteria might depend on the total number of asylum seekers per capita or in relation to GDP. The Commissioner also defended the pilot projects, particularly in Malta; on obtaining information on the way migrants arrive in Europe and information campaigns in non-EU countries regarding the dangers of making these crossings. He defended both the Triton project and the Frontex Agency that have so far saved the lives of 16,000 migrants and intercepted 57 traffickers but he also called for more support from the member states.
In the EPP's opinion, it is shocking “that these ghost ships come from Turkey, an EU partner country. Turkey has to engage in this fight against organised crime too”. In Gianni Pittella's view (S&D, Italy), “these people need our help. Every life counts - human rights cannot be divided or breached. There is one way only - working together and having a common policy on migration”. But “the command and decision-making centre must be in Brussels and not in the member state capitals” so that the response “is effective and not hypocritical”, Pittella said. “It's in Brussels that these flows must be planned and where the distinction must be made between legal immigration and illegal”, he continued. In Cecilia Wikström's view (ALDE, Sweden), the Mediterranean Sea has become “an immense cemetery” and “this will continue if we don't take our responsibilities”. She believes that it is time “to award visas from the embassies and consulates”. (SP)