Improved cooperation could save billions of euros

The European Parliament is today holding a debate in preparation of the European Council of 22 and 23 June, where key topics will include migration and security and defence.

Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller, who will speak on behalf of the group, comments:

"We urgently need much greater solidarity in supporting refugees. It is deeply disappointing that the Member States are seemingly unable to agree on a fair allocation of asylum seekers in Europe and have dropped this decision from their agenda.

"The heads of state and government need to be prepared to look at the root causes that lead to violent conflicts, radicalisation and people fleeing from their homes. More money for the arms industry is not an adequate answer, especially when it comes at the expense of support for the regions and SMEs. Instead, EU member states need to make pooling and sharing resources the rule, not the exception. Improved cooperation could save billions of euros, money that is urgently needed to prevent conflicts and violence in the world.

"We also urgently need answers on how to stop the horrendous acts of violence and terror. But simply collecting more and more personal data will not achieve this. We need more resources on the ground and better exchange of data so that the tools we already have today better serve the security of our citizens."