EUROPE-MIGRANTS/HOLLANDE-GUTERRES Europe in "chaotic situation" as countries struggle to cope with migrant crisis - U.N.'s Guterres

Record ID: 141609

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/HOLLANDE-GUTERRES Europe in "chaotic situation" as countries struggle to cope with migrant crisis - U.N.'s Guterres
  • Date: 7th September 2015
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 7, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ELYSEE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE FRENCH AND EUROPEAN UNION FLAGS VARIOUS OF FRENCH PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, ON STEPS OF ELYSEE PALACE HOLLANDE GREETING UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, ANTONIO GUTERRES GUTERRES AND HOLLANDE WALKING UP STAIRS AND SHAKING HANDS BEFORE ENTERING FOR MEETING VARIOUS OF HOLLANDE AND GUTERRES AT MEETING GUARDS OUTSIDE PALACE / GUTERRES COMING OUT (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ANTONIO GUTERRES SAYING: "What we are witnessing today is a chaotic situation, it is not a humane situation and also does not serve the interests of the European Union. I hope that, notably, on the (EU interior ministers) meeting on 14th, fundamental decisions will be made, it is not just a question of improving or of making little adjustments to policies currently in place. It is really a step forward that is required so that Europe can give a positive response to the expectations of people who are desperate, in particular, Syrians, who have already suffered greatly." GUTERRES BEING ASKED QUESTIONS BY JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (French) UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ANTONIO GUTERRES SAYING: "There absolutely have to be conditions of efficient reception especially in countries which are a point of entry, be it Greece, Hungary or Italy, but in particular Greece and Hungary, where all of the European Union's resources are mobilised, because what is happening today is chaos, and there must be, after this well-organised reception, with humane assistance and with efficient registration and screening, a redistribution of people who are in need of protection by all the members of the European Union, in solidarity, so that it is clear to all the refugees how to obtain protection in Europe." GUTERRES GETTING INTO CAR/ CAR DRIVING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 22nd September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8P6MNQI5H9FFRBUCVGZ2ECJ1I
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: United Nations High Commissioner for refugees Antonio Guterres said on Monday (September 7) he hoped European interior ministers meeting in Brussels next week would make "fundamental decisions" with regards to the ongoing migrant crisis.
    "What we are witnessing today is a chaotic situation, it is not a humane situation and also does not serve the interests of the European Union. I hope that, notably, on the (EU interior ministers) meeting on 14th, fundamental decisions will be made, it is not just a question of improving or of making little adjustments to policies currently in place. It is really a step forward that is required so that Europe can give a positive response to the expectations of people who are desperate, in particular, Syrians, who have already suffered greatly," Guterres said after a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris.
    Guterres called for efficiency and a united approach from EU member states for the reception and registration of asylum seekers landing on European soil.
    "There absolutely have to be conditions of efficient reception especially in countries which are a point of entry, be it Greece, Hungary or Italy, but in particular Greece and Hungary, where all of the European Union's resources are mobilised, because what is happening today is chaos, and there must be, after this well-organised reception, with humane assistance and with efficient registration and screening, a redistribution of people who are in need of protection by all the members of the European Union, in solidarity, so that it is clear to all the refugees how to obtain protection in Europe."
    The European Commission is set to propose national quotas to relocate 160,000 asylum-seekers arriving in Greece, Hungary and Italy, with Germany taking in more than 40,000 and France nearly 31,000. Countries that do not want to take part would be able to make financial contributions to buy their way out of the obligation on a temporary basis.
    The plan would be the biggest move yet on the part of the EU as a whole to tackle a crisis which has seen hundreds of thousands of refugees and economic migrants arrive on its southern shores and eastern borders.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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