Speech: A European Response to Migration: Showing solidarity and sharing responsibility

Text of a speech by Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs at a press conference in Brussels, 14 August 2015. Commissioner Avramopoulos said that the EU was stepping up its emergency funds for crises stemming from the growing number of refugees arriving in Europe.

He said that the world was facing the 'worst refugee crisis since the Second World War'.

Germany's interior minister Thomas de Maizier told the BBC on the 21 August 2015 that he could not rule out suspending participation in the Schengen agreement allowing passport-free travel between most European states. 'We support Schengen...but if nobody sticks to the law then Schengen is in danger'.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 14.08.15: Emergency funds sprout up to temper storm of refugee crises http://www.euractiv.com/sections/migrations/emergency-funds-sprout-temper-storm-refugee-crises-316856

Politico, 14.08.15: EU will free up more funds for migration http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-more-funds-for-migration-refugees-syria-asylum-kos-crisis-europe/

ESO: Background information: Finding solutions to migratory pressures http://www.europeansources.info/record/finding-solutions-to-migratory-pressures/

ESO: Background information: Immigrant crisis causes outcry in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/immigrant-crisis-causes-outcry-in-europe/

EUObserver, 14.08.15: EU calls for solidarity on migrant crisis https://euobserver.com/justice/129890

BBC News 21.08.15: Schengen free movement 'may be in danger', says German minister http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34016448

UN: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: News, 25.08.15: Migrant crisis: “Let’s not pretend Europe’s response is working” – UN rights expert warns http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16344&LangID=E#

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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