Interview: Europe must help Syrians restore peace to tackle refugee crisis: former Austrian Chancellor

Facing a mounting refugee crisis, Europe should focus on assisting Syrians to restore peace rather than cultivating the illusion that the problem can be addressed by providing shelter to incoming refugees across the continent, former Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer told Xinhua in an interview on Friday.

Gusenbauer outlined his views on the pressing challenge when delivering a speech during the opening session of the 13th annual World Public Forum "Dialogue of Civilizations" (Rhodes Forum) which opened on Friday on the Greek island.

The repercussions of the four-year conflict in Syria that have reached the doorstep of Europe this year dominated discussions among 700 attendees from all over the world at the premiere of the three-day event.

Gusenbauer, as co-chairman of the forum, told Xinhua that Europe and the international community should get involved in the root of the crisis in Syria to solve the refugee influx issue.

He suggested as a first step that the region establish security zones so that people would not have to travel thousands of miles seeking shelter. As well, he urged "all willing forces inside the country and outside to come to a ceasefire soon which is the precondition for further political dialogue."

In parallel, the former official stressed, the EU should immediately offer stronger support to Greece and other countries at the frontline to effectively tend to the flow of refugees.

However, Gusenbauer drew caution to not send a wrong message. Europe's capacity when it comes to receiving refugees is not infinite and this path is certainly not the solution to crises.

"It is a complete illusion to think that wherever there is a crisis across the world all refugees could come to Europe," he stressed, highlighting the danger that the current wave of solidarity may recede to xenophobia and nationalism in the future.

Asked to comment on the EU's performance in dealing with the refugee crisis, the former Chancellor acknowledged the cacophony of views and delayed reaction. Too little is being done once again and too late, he said.

"The EU's present institutional set up was not designed for moments of crises, but for moments of nice weather ... One lesson we have to draw from this crisis is that we need to strengthen European integration," he said.

For Europe, the current refugee crisis is nothing new and can be tackled with common sense and collaboration, he said.

Gusenbauer appeared sceptical as to whether external elements could impose a final solution.

"All forces that are there have to understand that ceasefire and peace can only emerge from inside. All the outside forces might assist, but I think it is a complete illusion if one power or group of powers thinks that they have an ideal model for Syria to impose. It will never work," he argued, pointing to past mistakes in Iraq and Libya.

The former statesman recommended that world leaders try to involve as many parties as possible pushing them to come together and find a solution among themselves.

Foreign intervention has so far not improved the situation, but rather strengthened already existing tensions among different ethnic groups, Gusenbauer noted.

He was confident, though, that a solution could be achieved sooner or later by exploring all windows of opportunity. This is what history tells us, he stressed. Endit