Cooperation best way to help migrants, says Pentus-Rosimannus
Uniting EU member states and helping refugees find jobs to help them integrate into society better is the best way to resolve the migrant crisis, Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus has said.
The comments were made at a meeting in Stockholm to Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström yesterday.
Pentus-Rosimannus said: “In Estonia we have seen how when our security situation deteriorated, geographically distant countries came to help us. They no doubt could also have said that we have enough concerns at home, try to handle the situation on the eastern border yourselves. This was not the case, because solidarity is not a word to be used lightly; it is one of the most important European values.”
Adding: “Now we are ready to participate in helping to solve one of the most acute crises in Europe in a manner which is feasible for us.”
She also said that it was necessary to find the root cause of the problems which are causing thousands of migrants to flee the middle east and Africa in boats across the Mediterranean, and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the EU, UN and a unified government in Libya.
The ministers also discussed the financial situation in Greece, Ukraine, security issues, EU Eastern Partnership, regional cooperation, issues related to the Arctic Council and the future of the European Union.
In April, Pentus-Rosimannus told ERR that dealing with asylum seekers is an aftermath, but the real focus should be on ensuring peace in Libya and targeting the people-smugglers.
Editor: H. Wright