French minister calls for greater EU solidarity to deal with migrant crisis

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called on Wednesday for greater cooperation between EU member states to deal with the growing number of migrants arriving on European soil this year.

In a joint press conference held with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres in Geneva's Palais des Nations, Cazeneuve told the press that though "Europe is not responsible for the world's problems, it has a responsibility towards the men and women who are persecuted in their own countries."

While calling for greater involvement in states which are making migrants and refugees flee, Cazeneuve highlighted the importance of implementing a common European policy towards the migration issue.

This includes acknowledging the worrying humanitarian aspect of the problem, as well as adopting a firm stance towards those who are benefitting from human trafficking activities.

According to figures, some 293,000 migrants have arrived in Europe so far this year, with indications that the number will continue to rise.

"This is of course a difficult challenge for Europe," Guterres iterated, adding that though the number of migrants arriving in Europe is enormous, it is low compared to Europe's total population.

"Europe has the capacity to address this crisis," he concluded, adding that UNHCR is ready to coordinate with its European partners to find solutions to the worsening crisis. Endit