Syria refugee crisis: Conference looks at support for countries along migrant route
The Syrian refugee crisis requires a global effort and the European Union has launched an unprecedented coordinated action to tackle it. A conference on Thursday will set out EU support for countries in the Western Balkans as well as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon who are the forefront of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The Syrian refugee crisis requires a global effort and the European Union has launched an unprecedented coordinated action to tackle it. A conference on Thursday will set out EU support for countries in the Western Balkans as well as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon who are the forefront of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The conference will focus on 5 main areas;
Increasing support to countries of first asylum hosting most Syrian refugees, notably Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, in order to help them face the pressure
Improving reception, registration and asylum processing capabilities in all affected transit countries to ensure protection is granted to those entitled to it and those who are not in need of international protection are returned
Enhancing cooperation to fight organised crime responsible for migrant smuggling
Addressing root causes of forced displacement, namely considering ways to strengthen support to a political solution to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and fighting extremist terrorism in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan
Discussing engagement with countries of origin of other irregular migrants
The conference in Luxembourg brings together European countries, UN agencies and International Organisations to look at ways to support those bearing the brunt of the Syrian refugee crisis. The meeting will be jointly chaired by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini i and Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.
The conference on Thursday 8 October will bring together Foreign and Home affairs/Interior Ministers from European Union countries and their counterparts from countries in the Western Balkans, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon. Associated countries - Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland - will also attend. There will also be representatives from UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration, World Food Program as well as EU border agency Frontex and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) at the conference.
European Commissioners Johannes Hahn i (European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations), Dimitris Avramopoulos i (Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship) and Christos Stylianides i (Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management) will also attend.
It is envisaged that the Conference adopts a Declaration that will set out the main principles, goals and actions and ensure full protection for refugees, orderly management of borders and return of people not entitled to international protection.
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Eastern Mediterranean - Western Balkans route conference
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