"In response to the diabolical sequence of humanitarian disasters in the Mediterranean, Europe must show resolve and set up effective mechanisms to organise surveillance and rescue in the maritime areas concerned. Europe must also join forces with the local authorities and help them to deal with the migrants arriving on their territory", urged Jean-Claude Frécon, the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, in response to the sinkings that have occurred in recent days.
“In addition to the horror that we feel when hearing of these tragedies, which are now occurring so unbearably frequently, we must act on several levels, European, national, but also local and regional, to deploy efficient strategies on both shores of the Mediterranean to avoid these disasters. We call on the participants at the extraordinary European Summit to be held on Thursday to take account of the need for discussion at all levels”, he added.
The Congress has regularly alerted the 47 member states of the Council of Europe to the urgency of the situation, particularly in view of the conflicts and the political instability and insecurity in the Middle East and in sub-Saharan Africa. At a debate on 24 March 2015 with the mayors of Calais (France), Lampedusa (Italy) and Siirt (Turkey), the Congress highlighted the role of local authorities, which are first in line when it comes to receiving migrants and face huge problems in providing basic services such as health and education. (more...)
See also:
Interview with Giuseppina Nicolini, Mayor of Lampedusa
Interview with Natacha Bouchart, Mayor of Calais