UK opposes EU burden-sharing scheme for Libyan refugees
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, May 11, IRNA -- Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed that Britain is opposed to opening its borders to migrants fleeing the turmoil in Libya and other North African countries, despite being at the forefront to change Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
No one was going to accept the sight of people dying at sea, as reportedly happened when European military units apparently failed to rescue 61 migrants who died after their boat ran into trouble en route to Italy in March, Clegg insisted.
But he said he did not want Britain to take part in any 'burden-sharing' scheme, proposed by the EU, describing it as a 'some sort of version of pass the parcel.”
“We want to make sure that every effort is made the conflict comes to an end in the first place,' Clegg told a 60th anniversary celebration of the work of the Refugee Council in London on Tuesday.
'Obviously working with the Italians to provide practical support to those who have fled to their towns and cities is another way,' he said about the fleeing refugees and migrants.
Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to officially reject calls to take part in a European-wide 'burden-sharing' scheme when she meets EU interior ministers in Brussels to discuss the north African situation.
Calls are being led by Italy and other southern Mediterranean members of the EU to establish an immediate mechanism for asylum seekers in the wake of Nato continuing its bombing campaign in support of Benghazi-based rebels seeking to overthrow Gaddafi's regime.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
