EUCO: more political will needed to tackle the refugee crisis

Reacting to the results of the informal European Council, Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, said:

"At least the EU Member States have shown that they are able to act, even if it is only step by step. The decisions to give more money to the Middle East countries, to better secure external borders and to establish hotspots are a small gleam of hope towards a common solution to the refugee crisis.

But yesterday's decisions are not enough. They will neither put an end to the chaotic situation of refugee flows in Europe nor establish organised procedures. More money, action and decisions - but most of all political will - will be needed. The most important decision of the week is the decision on the distribution of 120,000 refugees among EU Member States. Member States showed courage on this decision. But most of these decisions will be overtaken by reality in a short period of time. Additional measures are urgently necessary. The EPP Group is ready to act."