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PM puts refugee issue on top of Dutch EU presidency agenda

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

To mark the start of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte received the European Commissioners in Amsterdam on Thursday, emphasizing on the need to solve the refugee crisis in Europe.

"There is no time to lose," said Rutte at a press conference. "Europe has to tackle the refugee problem. No country can solve these problems alone. The 28 EU member states must work together."

Rutte named three concrete results he wanted to achieve during the Dutch EU Presidency, which lasts until June 30. "First of all the numbers of refugees have to come down considerably," he said. "That is of crucial importance. We cannot continue with the current numbers."

"Secondly we have to share the burden fairly among all states," he added. "And thirdly we have to make sure every member state ensures sufficient reception within their own borders."

Vice-President Frans Timmermans of the European Commission, present together with EC president Jean-Claude Juncker, added that "Europe should be part of the solution and not a part of the problem." Endit