Ending Syrian conflict only solution to refugee crisis: NATO session

NATO lawmakers were told on Sunday that ending the conflict in Syria is the only sure way to halt the flow of refugees to Europe.

Ossur Skarphedinsson from Iceland underlined this point in a draft report debated by his peers gathering in Istanbul for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's annual session.

The Icelandic lawmaker stressed that the inflow of refugees is bound to increase until the Syrian conflict is resolved, declaring not enough what he called "patchwork solutions" adopted in Europe.

The draft report also suggests opening up labor markets to refugees, arguing it is far less costly and more effective than accommodating them.

"They want jobs, not food parcels," echoed Sanj Srikanthan, vice president for the International Rescue Committee. "Our response and our planning should be built in years, not months."

The raging war in Syria has displaced some five million Syrians into neighboring Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, while the influx of about 1 million refugees into Europe last year had alarmed the continent.

Marc Angel from Luxembourg lamented the lack of solidarity among European nations as they have been bickering over who should carry the burden of caring for refugees.

"This is not worthy of our European values," he said. Endit