Today, on World Refugee Day, we turn our thoughts to the millions of refugees who have been forced to leave their homes due to wars, conflicts and persecution. Alleviating these human tragedies is not only a major challenge for the international community, but also a duty which requires greater co-operation.
Although according to newspaper headlines, the refugee crisis is seemingly a European concern, we need to grasp its global nature. Through solidarity, we must find solutions for both the countries of origin and destination, while ensuring respect for refugee’s human rights, as required by the European Convention on Human Rights. We must in particular take action to protect the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis, such as children. Effective border control, co-operation with third countries, and safe and legal migration channels are components of a comprehensive solution for combating human trafficking. We must also increase our collective effort regarding humanitarian aid and economic cooperation to address effectively the root causes of migration flows.