Migrant crisis: If Europe shuts the door where can they go?

Washington, Mar 7: To tackle the widespread flow of migrants to Europe, European Union heads of government held a meeting with Prime Minister of Turkey on Monday.

The meeting discussed ways to restrict the number of migrants arriving in Europe.

According to the International Organization for Migration, around 134,900 migrants took the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe so far this year in search of a better life.

More than 400 have died making the dangerous journey to Europe.

An EU-Turkey joint action plan was framed late last year to increase funding and humanitarian aid for migrants in Turkey and help dismantle human smuggling networks. The decision was taken as many migrants landing in Europe pass through Turkey.

A record 1.2 million people registered for asylum in the European Union in 2015 -- more than double the number from the previous year, reported CNN citing the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.

"Of those, Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis accounted for more than half of the first-time applicants," it added.
Around 10,000 people were seen awaited the Greek border with Macedonia, while only a few Syrians and Iraqis were allowed by authorities to cross the border. That may turn Greece a mass refugee camp.

The meeting on Monday in Brussels, Belgium, could result in the borders opening. But the reality is that the past six months have seen more barriers built than removed.

European leaders approach towards migrant crisis have been criticised by some human rights groups, including Amnesty International.

"EU efforts to address the refugee crisis have focused on ensuring that refugees and asylum-seekers remain in Turkey, instead of sharing the responsibility for their protection and assistance," the organization said in statement last week.

British Prime Minister David Cameron described the migration crisis as "the greatest challenge facing Europe today.

Greece, Italy and Hungary in EU have faced disproportionate burden of migrant crisis. It has also raised tension among EU countries.

OneIndia News