02:44Belgium: Avramopoulos calls for unity as MEPs argue over Schengen
The European Parliament held a plenary session in Brussels, Tuesday, to discuss the ongoing refugee crisis, the introduction of border checks and the future of the Schengen Agreement.
European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos called for unity in tackling the issues surrounding the refugee crisis. "The commission is putting every effort to achieve normalisation of the Schengen functioning and in parallel is preparing for all options. But let me repeat clearly, this is not about the end of Schengen or cutting off a member state," he stated, adding that "either we stand firm and find solutions in line with our values or we will see ourselves and our Europe change beyond recognition, back to a past that no-one wants to experience again."
UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall slammed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, claiming her asylum policy allowing refugees from Syria to come to Germany was "putting the citizens of Europe's lives at risk."
Dutch MEP Vicky Maeijer criticised the Schengen Agreement in her address, calling it a failure and labelling Europe "a fiasco."
02:44The European Parliament held a plenary session in Brussels, Tuesday, to discuss the ongoing refugee crisis, the introduction of border checks and the future of the Schengen Agreement.
European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos called for unity in tackling the issues surrounding the refugee crisis. "The commission is putting every effort to achieve normalisation of the Schengen functioning and in parallel is preparing for all options. But let me repeat clearly, this is not about the end of Schengen or cutting off a member state," he stated, adding that "either we stand firm and find solutions in line with our values or we will see ourselves and our Europe change beyond recognition, back to a past that no-one wants to experience again."
UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall slammed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, claiming her asylum policy allowing refugees from Syria to come to Germany was "putting the citizens of Europe's lives at risk."
Dutch MEP Vicky Maeijer criticised the Schengen Agreement in her address, calling it a failure and labelling Europe "a fiasco."