Rõivas: Migration crisis brought under control, but there is still much to do
At his meeting with EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos in Tallinn on Monday, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas acknowledged that the EU has brought Europe's migration crisis under control.
"Although migration flows have subsided and the relocation of refugees has been finally launched, the results are still not those that would give rise to complacency," a government press release quoted Rõivas as saying at the meeting. "On the contrary, work must continue and there is much to do."
The Estonian prime minister said that the EU should first ensure that the cooperation agreement with Turkey would be continuously applied and the parties involved would comply with their obligations. Furthermore, he found, it is necessary to contribute more to relations with North African countries, which act as the starting point for migration flows, as well as continue to support frontline countries of the refugee crisis in the Middle East.
Noting that it was essential that all member states of the EU keep their promises, Rõivas stressed that Estonia is honoring the commitments it has made regarding the relocation of war refugees under the EU migrant relocation plan. "We have chosen the right path if we carry out a thorough background check on people before bringing them here," he said.
Prime Minister Rõivas recognized the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard, which he considered an important step forward in guarding the external borders of Europe. According to the Estonian prime minister, the key issue in guarding Europe's brders lies in flawlessly functioning information systems, which must be reciprocally operated by all internal security authorities across Europe.
"Therefore it is necessary to significantly increase investments in the IT sector," said Rõivas. "Officials dealing with migration flow must be provided with the best tools which ensure them the fastest exchange of information."
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla