Speaking at the European Committee of the Regions plenary session today Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, pledged to support local and regional authorities, which are facing immediate and long term responses to the migration crisis in the EU.
"Local authorities from Lesbos and Stockholm are on the frontline of this policy. You need our support both in political and financial means. Relevant EU financial instruments directly or indirectly available should be used by local and regional authorities in support of welcoming and integration of migrants. You may count on my support" – promised Commissioner Avramopoulos, himself a former CoR and EPP Group Member.
Addressing the Commissioner on behalf of the EPP Group, Jesús Gamallo Aller (EPP/ES) said: "We look forward to the EC proposal in 2016 for adequate measures to respond to the 3 Million migrants and refugees expected in the next two years, and to go deeper in addressing root causes of irregular migration". The Galician politician expressed a cautious approach to cooperation with Turkey. The EU cannot outsource its security to Turkey, even if we strongly believe that the EU and Turkey should be close partners"
Anders Knape (EPP/SE) asked for more solidarity between regions and local levels as well as at the Member State level. He referred to the difficult situation in Sweden: "We expect 500'000 migrants next year should the current trends continue. I'm afraid we cannot welcome them all".
Anna Magyar (EPP/HU) requested a clear line between refugees and economic migrants: "The Schengen external borders should be better protected against irregular migrants" – she said.
Commissioner Avramopoulos promised that the Commission will defend the Schengen project: "We will not permit this project to be destroyed. We urge you to support our forthcoming proposal for smart borders and to help us expose false links between migration and terrorism".
He also promised revision of the Dublin regulations, support for political authorities in countries of transit and destination as well as more coordinated policies with Turkey.