Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 22 October 2019 - Strasbourg

Discharge 2017: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (debate)

  Julie Ward (S&D). – Mr President, first of all I want to state that we do not have a refugee crisis here in Europe. There is a refugee crisis in Jordan, Lebanon and in many countries in Africa, but here in Europe we have a crisis of solidarity, which means that some Member States have had to bear more responsibility than others. I want to thank those that have shown compassion, moral compass and leadership by shouldering this responsibility when others have shrugged their shoulders, turned their back and forgotten true European values.

We do need to have a better common European asylum system by facilitating, coordinating and strengthening practical cooperation among Member States on the many aspects of asylum – and I include my country, the UK, in that list, due to the hostile environment created by Theresa May when she was Home Secretary and which continues today.

Contrast Salvini’s cruel policies of turning away migrant vessels in Italy and criminalising those who gave aid and assistance with the brave actions of Pedro Sánchez, who opened the Spanish ports to refugees just a few days after taking office.