site.btaPresident Plevneliev: We Must Solve the Problems Which Turn People into Refugees

President Plevneliev: We Must Solve the Problems Which Turn People into Refugees


Sofia/Braga, September 30 (BTA) - Speaking during the meeting of
Arraiolos Group leaders in Braga on Tuesday, the Bulgarian
President Rosen Plevneliev called for a just distribution of the
burden caused by the migration wave, for enhancing the European
institutions, Frontex, and most of all prevention. "In order to
be efficient, we must pay attention to and work in Syria, in
Libya, in Lebanon and in Ukraine, so that these people can live
in their own countries and not become refugees," Plevneliev
said, quoted by his Press Secretariat in a press release.

The common assessment of the nine EU heads of state taking part
in the forum is that so far there have never been so many
overlapping crises which the EU has to deal with. The EU must
treat those who have reached the common borders in accordance
with European and world standards. The presidents agreed that
meanwhile the cause of the refugee waves must be addressed, the
press release read.

An integrated European approach for dealing with these problems
is needed, Plevneliev also said.

In the past year alone, terrorism has forced millions of people
to leave their homes. These people are heading towards the EU
borders, which is why the problem with terrorist organizations
can only be solved jointly, as part of a broad coalition.
Dealing with the refugee flows requires a common European policy
and the increased attention of European institutions,
Plevneliev said.

Plevneliev described the new Greek EU Commissioner as having
extensive experience in the field of migration, adding however,
that it won't be easy because crises cannot be solved in the
course of one day.

According to Eurostat statistics, 60 per cent of the immigrants
entering the EU are heading to just five countries, while 90 per
cent of them are going to ten countries. This shows that there
is no just distribution of the burden, which is precisely on
what the new European policy must focus, Plevneliev stressed. He
added that the participants in the meeting have agreed that
there is a need for the quick adoption of a policy to deal with
the refugee pressure and expect actions to be taken by the
European Commission. What is common between the debates about
the problems in the energy sector and the refugees is that such
difficult problems require a common approach, solidarity and
joint efforts by the Member States, Plevneliev further said.