Refugee Crisis: European Parliament sends a strong signal of solidarity

"The European Parliament has sent a strong signal today that we are ready to tackle the refugee crisis and support the fairer distribution of civil war refugees between EU Member States in a solidary manner", said Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group. "It is also a signal of solidarity towards the most concerned countries Italy, Greece and Hungary. We need speedy responses to the continuing heavy influx of refugees to Europe. EU Member States must act. They must stop focusing on themselves. The challenge is so enormous that it can only be solved together."

"The EPP Group is standing up for Europe's humanitarian responsibility and offering protection to the persecuted. But one thing is also very clear for us: not everyone who wants to come to Europe can come here and stay. This is why external border protection should be massively strengthened and those who are not granted asylum should be sent back to their countries", Weber concluded.