http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/migration-wave-can-be-solved-by-refugee-return-to-africa-czech-pm/1229505?
Migration wave can be solved by refugee return to Africa-Czech PM
published:
19.06.2015, 13:56
updated:
19.06.2015 14:00
Bratislava - A solution to the recent wave of immigrants in the EU
rests in signing an agreement with African states on the return of the
refugees who were not granted asylum in Europe, Czech PM Bohuslav
Sobotka said after meeting his British counterpart David Cameron in
Bratislava today.
Český premiér Bohuslav Sobotka (vpravo) a britský předseda vlády David
Cameron (vlevo) se sešli 19. června v Bratislavě.ČTK Koller Jan
Cameron shares the view, Sobotka told journalists.
He and Cameron also discussed Britain´s plan to modify its relations
with the EU.
"We have agreed that the solution rests in stabilising the situation
in Libya, reaching an agreement with particular African countries and
ensure a system to enable the refugees, who come to Europe and fail to
gain asylum under our law, to be returned to their home countries,"
Sobotka said.
Sobotka attends a meeting of the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four
countries (V4, also including Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) with
French President Francois Hollande in Bratislava today.
Cameron, on his part, has arrived to attend the Globsec international
security conference in the Slovak capital.
Sobotka said the above measures are probably the only chance of
stemming the refugee influx into the EU.
"It definitely will not be a question of weeks or months. It will
require the economic activity of the EU and its members, so that we
can provide material help to countries such as Libya, Eritrea and
others, in order to help stabilise the situation there," Sobotka said.
He said he and Cameron agreed that a compulsory redistribution of
refugees based on quotas is no solution.
"The more time we spend debating the quotas, the less time will be
left for us to discuss the measures that could really stop the
migration crisis," Sobotka said.
He said the Czech Republic is ready to contribute to solving the migration wave.
"We are ready to offer experts and financial subsidies, both in terms
of the border protection reinforcement and the construction of refugee
centres in north Africa. This may be another step in tackling the
migration crisis. Of course, we are capable of offering aviation
equipment," Sobotka said.
Sobotka and Cameron also spoke about Britain´s effort to reform its
position as an EU member. Cameron has promised to voters to stage a
referendum on the country´s future in the EU by the end of 2017.
In this connection, Sobotka said he views as sensitive the question of
possible changes of conditions for foreigners living and working in
Britain.
"It is important to preserve the freedom of movement within the EU and
the equal approach of all EU citizens in all EU countries," Sobotka
said.
He said Prague has no objections to London´s effort to complete the
building of the internal market. However, he said he would not expect
a quick EU-Britain agreement in case the EU basic treaties were to be
changed.
Written by: ČTK
www.ctk.cz
Received on Fri Jun 19 2015 - 22:58:20 EDT