Dutch FM Advises EU Talks with Lebanon over Refugee Crisis
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders has said the only way to halt the flow of migrants pouring into Europe is to end the war in Syria, advising the European Union to hold talks with Lebanese officials.
Koenders, who visited a refugee camp in the eastern Bekaa Valley on Tuesday, said: "It is not only a question of border controls and quotas. If the war in Syria does not end, people will keep coming."
Koenders said the EU, whose leaders are meeting Wednesday in Brussels to try to hammer out a united front in tackling the migrant crisis, should talk to the Lebanese authorities, "because that country knows not only the problems but also the region."
He said the EU should discuss possible solutions to the Syrian conflict with Lebanon and other countries from the Middle East.
The Dutch government has pledged 25 million euros ($28 million) to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Koenders met with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on Monday.
"It's important to note that this amount of money... is something meant for refugees but also Lebanese communities," the Dutch diplomat said.
Source: Associated Press, Naharnet
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