Tajani promotes Marshall plan for Africa
The president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani stressed the need for an EU strategy of migration management at the start of a European Council (22-23 March) summit.
”If we fail to come up with an EU strategy, we will continue to play into the hands of the populists” – Tajani said.
President Tajani informed EU heads of government that citizens have been waiting “for too long” answers to the problem of migration management.. He suggested that the efforts used to close the Balkan route should also be applied to other Mediterranean routes.
The tragedy of the 18-year old girl murdered by a gang of Nigerians aggravated the issue of migrants in Italy, and, according to Tajani, dominated the headlines, influencing the outcome of the general elections. ”If we fail to come up with an EU strategy, we will continue to play into the hands of the populists” – Tajani added.
Putting forward the asylum reform proposal, adopted in November 2017 by the European Parliament, Tajani requested the EU leaders to act without delay, even with qualified majority, in case the consensus can not be reached.
The European Parliament calls for Marshall Plan for Africa to give hope to millions of Africans to create new opportunities.
The President called on the Council to act on plans for asylum reform, more resources for Frontex, more reception centres, as well as more investment in Tunisia, Morocco, Niger, Mali, Chad and Libya to improve border controls and combat people traffickers.
Tajani called for closer cooperation with the UN in issues of asylum seekers and returns.
