Debate on the&nbsp;situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration during the EP plenary session (11-14 April 2016) in Strasbourg. Opening statements.by Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur,Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, and Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

KYENGE, Cécile Kashetu (S&D, IT)

The situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration: extracts from the opening statements

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, What we are saying here is that we must shift our thinking, no more emergency solutions to emergency situations. We want a sustainable long term vision. Our departing point is that solidarity must be the point of principle upon which any action on migration is based.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, We draw differences between those who are in a need of protection and those who come to Europe for work, because we understand that while people fleeing war and prosecution have a right of protection, it is true that this does not equate to an inalienable right to migration. So we highlight that when it comes to labour migration for example, it must be the member states who have control over the labour market and that they have and that the Union must see how to best fill any possible gaps in the market.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, Security fears do exist among our citizens and states must fulfil their obligations at the external borders if these fears are to be in any way allayed. The abolition of internal border controls in Schengen has to go hand in hand with strengthening external borders. This is simply a prerequisiteif we are to save our celebrated Schengen zone.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, We want a new approach on integration, the way forward is having a two way process and while - yes everyone's rights must be protected and while - yes we must do more to keep families together, it is also fair to expect people to respect the values upon which our Union is founded.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, We call for a binding mandatory relocation mechanism for a significant number of asylum seekers to take them from refugee camps in third countries to member states through the so-called humanitarian corridors.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, We need specific protection for minors: legal aid, healthcare, education, protection, and overall non detention on the basis of their condition of minors.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, Our proposal is clear: we want to go beyond the concept of country of first entry. We propose a central collective system for the allocation of responsibilities. This is a system that could be based on thresholds being defined for individual member states depending on the number of arrivals. So you would no longer have asylum requests being lodged in Italy or in Greece, but rather in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, With this resolution we are laying down the foundations for a common migration policy which would be capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. Member states can choose now whether to follow our lead or to put an end and bury European integration. The future of Europe will also depend on the extent to which we will be capable of sharing our European dream and our values. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, The current crisis has shown that the present system is not working and many elements are reflected in your report. We need in particular to overhaul the Asylum system.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, But a reformed Dublin mechanism will not alone make our Asylum policy more fair and efficient. This is why the Commission will present complimentary initiatives in order to achieve greater convergence in the EU Asylum system and to limit secondary movements across the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, There are many differences between Member States approaches to resettlement. It will be more efficient if the EU Member States pull their efforts and use the same methodology. We agree as well that in future we will also need migration to fill skills gaps and to address the demographic challenge that all our nations in Europe face.