EU needs unified approach to deal with migrant crisis

As the number of migrant arrivals reaches unpreceded levels in Europe, countries are struggling to cope with the massive influx of people from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Nigeria, among others, in quest of protection or simply a better life.

In a joint press conference held with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres in Geneva's Palais des Nations on Wednesday, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for greater cooperation between EU member states to deal with the crisis which has seen over 293,000 migrant arrivals so far this year in Europe.

Though primarily affecting countries such as Greece and Italy, other countries such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom and a number of Balkan states are struggling to adapt to the rapid increase in migrants seeking to reach European territories, often to escape wars and persecution.

To deal with the situation at hand, Cazeneuve iterated the importance of addressing the root causes of the problem in states which are pushing refugees and migrants to flee, while stressing the necessity of implementing a common European policy towards the migration issue.

This implies that all EU countries should acknowledge the worrying humanitarian crisis, as demonstrated by UNHCR Director of the Bureau for Europe Vincent Cochetel earlier this month after his visit to a number of Greek islands hosting migrants who had crossed from Turkey.

"I've been working 30 years with UNHCR, I've visited many African and Asian countries and I've never seen such a situation," Cochetel stated, adding that "this is the European Union and this is totally shameful."

The problem lies also with those who are benefitting from lucrative sea crossings, where people are forced to board precarious boats in often inhuman conditions to reach their destinations.

In his speech, Cazeneuve highlighted the importance of adopting a firm stance towards those profiting from human trafficking activities which have engendered countless tragedies on the Mediterranean Sea.

Though the Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos have now become synonymous with migrant arrivals destinations as well as tourist hotspots, other EU countries are also feeling the brunt of the influx.

France itself is facing its own problems in the Northern coastal town of Calais, where according to UNHCR figures, an estimated 3,000 refugees and migrants are camping, with many hoping to reach the United Kingdom.

Though the number of people living in camps has remained the same since last November, UNHCR indicated earlier this month that the rising death toll of those attempting to cross the English Channel "is a worrying development."

The situation in Calais comes against the backdrop of a widespread migration crisis affecting Europe, with destinations such as Greece, Italy and Spain receiving countless migrants every day.

According to the latest International Organization for Migration figures, Greece (157,228 migrant arrivals in 2015) is by far the top destination for migrants. Italy has also recorded high arrival rates this year with 107,633 migrants originating from Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Syria reaching Italian shores.

"This is of course a difficult challenge for Europe," Guterres iterated, adding that though the number of migrants arriving in Europe is enormous, it is low compared to Europe's total population.

"Europe has the capacity to address this crisis," he concluded, adding that UNHCR is ready to coordinate with its European partners to find effective and humane solutions.

Over 267,000 maritime migrant arrivals have been recorded so far in Europe this year, with the latest death toll indicating that 2,373 people have lost their lives in 2015 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

Source: XINHUA