AFP
Dublin
Europe must do more to help migrants crossing the Mediterranean, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said yesterday ahead of a visit to Brussels, as a planned EU naval operation awaits UN Security Council approval.
Europe “can provide more help”, Ban said at a joint press conference in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, calling for search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean to be “further strengthened”.
“I’m urging European leaders to address this issue in a more comprehensive way and a collective way,” he said, adding that any approach should also look at the “roots” of the problem in countries of origin. “Without compassion you cannot do this. We have to first of all do our best to save lives.”
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she hopes to discuss with Ban a “very important issue, which is the link between development, co-operation and migration”.
“We always say that we have to tackle the root causes of the phenomenon,” the former Italian foreign minister added. “Today with the ministers for development and Ban Ki-moon we have a perfect chance to look at how the European Union and the partner countries, especially in Africa, can develop more possibilities for African citizens to face a better present and a better future.”
EU ministers last week approved plans for a military operation to fight Mediterranean people smugglers, although proposals to destroy traffickers’ boats in Libyan waters still need UN approval.
Ban: We have to first of all do our best to save lives.
