Today, the political leaders in the European Parliament sent an open letter* to the 28 European government leaders to finally agree on a joint approach on asylum and migration during the European Summit in Valletta on 11 and 12 November.
EPP Group leader Manfred Weber, S&D leader Gianni Pittella and ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt urgently call on government leaders to show political leadership and political will to find a European solution. They call upon them to support the proposals put forward by the European Commission for a European Border and Coast Guard, a European asylum and migration system and a European Blue Card.
They also believe that during the Valletta Summit, cooperation with the African Union and individual African countries should be strengthened. The three Group leaders call for improved development cooperation, increased mobilisation of expertise and funding directed towards Africa.
The three leaders are concerned about the lack of political agreement and strategy demonstrated over the last couple of months by the Council with regard to a joint approach on asylum and migration. Last week, the European Commission indicated that around three million refugees might come to the EU. The three Group leaders warned the government leaders that Europe will have difficulty coping with this unprecedented refugee influx if it is not capable of implementing a joint policy and strategy.
*Nominal letters have been sent to EU Government leaders. Attached is the letter to Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg currently holding the EU Presidency.
