New York/Geneva/Prague, Sept 8 (CTK) – The Czech Republic is ready to take an active part in dealing with the migration crisis in Europe, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said in a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday, his spokesman Martin Ayrer has told CTK.
Ban Ki-Moon and Sobotka discussed the current issues and the migration crisis in Europe, Ayrer said.
Sobotka said a close cooperation of EU countries in the strict protection of the border of the Schengen area, the building of hotspots and financial help to the countries afflicted by war conflicts were needed.
However, the help must be based on voluntary solidarity, while the mandatory quotas for the refugees’ distribution in the EU are a poorly working mechanism, Sobotka said.
It is vital to end the war in the Middle East if the crisis is to end, he added.
“Sobotka said the U.N. role in the affair was extremely important, appealing to its more active approach to the situation in Libya and Syria,” Ayrer said.
“This may include more diplomatic activities within the United Nations with a view to achieving a permanent peace solution, stabilisation and reconstruction of countries,” he added.
Ban Ki-moon said most of the refugees flowing to the EU were fleeing wars and violence and had the right to ask for asylum.
He said Europeans should adopt a humane and dignified approach to the refugees.
In the past days, Ban Ki-moon spoke with the leaders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Greece and Austria over the issue.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Tuesday published the estimate that some 850,000 refugees might cross the Mediterranean to Europe this and next years.
This year, 366,000 have done so.
