Conclusions of the AER discussions on “Facing the migration and refugee challenges”
Whereas: across Europe, both within and outside the EU, there is a wave of migration unprecedented since World War II,
Whereas: the causes are primarily political with civil war in Syria and unrest in other countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan but also economic factors,
Whereas: environmental pressures such as water shortage and climate change can be foreseen as potential future causes of migration,
Whereas: international institutions such as UN and EU as well as nation states have a primary responsibility to address these problems but recognising such mass movements,
Whereas: impact will always be felt at a regional and local level and will need the efforts, capacities and experience of regional and local administrations,
Whereas: AER has member regions within and outside the EU and especially in regions heavily impacted by the current migration movements such as Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Sweden, Belgium,
We, the Assembly of European Regions, call on the states of Europe, the European Institutions and other International Institutions:
- To draw on the practical experience of regional and local administrations in dealing with problems of migration of a transient and long term nature to learn from successes and difficulties;
- To ensure regions and local administrations are adequately funded and offered all necessary administrative support to help them deal with practical problems of accepting migrants;
- AER offers its full support and experience and that of its member regions to the European Union and United Nations in addressing these issues, as we continue to learn from each other by means of conferences and seminars.
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