Poland to take on Med refugees?
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
21.04.2015 10:24
Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna has said that if the EU ratifies a plan to deal with mass immigration in the Mediterranean sea, Poland would be forced to take on some of the burden.
Migrants who survived in recent Mediterranean sinkings, aboard the Italian Coast Guard's vessel Bruno Gregoretti, arrive at Catania's port, in Catania, Sicily, Italy. Photo: EPA/ORIETTA SCARDINO
Schetyna was in Luxembourg on Monday for a meeting between EU ministers to discuss a plan of action to deal with thousands of Africans who are leaving the coast of Tripoli destined for Europe.
Hundreds die en route.
Foreign and interior ministers from around the European Union's 28 member states have now agreed on a ten-point plan to curb further tragedies in future.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) chats with Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn (R) at the start of a Foreign Affairs council meeting of EU Ministers at the EU Headquarters in Luxembourg. Photo: EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
These include a reinforcement of EU maritime patrolling and a drive to destroy vessels used by people smugglers. The European Commission will also will introduce a voluntary pilot programme to resettle refugees across the EU.
At present, southern EU countries such as Malta, Italy and Spain, have been talking the vast majority of immigrants leaving the shores of North Africa.
Over the last week, a single capsized boat saw the death of over 800 immigrants, the UN has said.
"The Council of Ministers meets [on Tuesday]. I'll talk to [Interior] Minister [Teresa] Piotrowska and Prime Minister [Ewa] Kopacz. Together we will decide [...] if the determination by the European Union, we also need to prepare for the implementation of these points, but in any dimension. It is challenge for us, and we will take it,” Schetyna told reporters following the meeting on Monday. (rg)
Source: PAP