(Strasbourg) We should make rapid progress in our cooperation with Turkey (in accordance with the conclusions of the Summit on 7 March, to be ratified on 17-18 March), “define a true European strategy” on migration, “strengthen our external borders – this is a top priority -” and “apply the Schengen rules”. “Now that the Balkan route has been closed for migrants, we should avert a humanitarian crisis”. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert is the Defence Minister of the Netherlands, the country that is holding the six-month presidency of the EU. Speaking at the European Parliament’s plenary sitting in Strasbourg, ahead of the European Council next week, she voices her concern about the situation of refugees. She is well aware of the headlines in today’s newspapers that summarise the latest events, including the closure of the Slovenian border for those without a valid Schengen visa, the declarations of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and his tough stance on migration, as well as the hostile attitudes of Austria, Serbia and Macedonia towards migration. Then there is the meeting between Turkish PM Davutoglu and Greek PM Tsipras to reach an agreement on repatriation, following the talks in Brussels on Monday. Ms Hennis-Plasschaert is worried about the situation along the Greek-Macedonian border, the dinghies in the Aegean Sea, and the controversial issue of Calais, between France and the UK… “We need to provide assistance to the refugees”, their very lives are at risk. Hence, the decision to allocate 700 million euros to humanitarian aid over three years.
“Our response must be quick”, Ms Hennis-Plasschaert explains, “to avoid the worst case scenario”. The Netherlands, both at ministerial and “sherpa” (diplomats in Brussels) levels, is negotiating an agreement: Turkey is asking for more money to keep Syrians and Afghans on its territory, and Greece can no longer cope with the influx of migrants. Greece and Italy are asked to send back those migrants who have no right to asylum. During the Plenary, a number of MEPs voiced their opposition to the EU-Turkey agreement, many decrying the fact that money is given to a country which does not “respect human rights and European values”, while others were adamant in their position to shut the door to anyone coming to Europe. The major parties in the European Parliament (EPP, S&D, Greens, ALDE, which form a sort of multifaceted majority in Strasbourg) back the “common strategy” outlined by the European Commission, and criticise the European Council, that is, the 28 EU leaders, for their hostile and nationalistic stance on an issue such as the migration crisis which “should be addressed together”. This is the message – albeit not unequivocal – that the European Parliament sends to the European Council scheduled in eight days.