EU must rise to challenge on migration, EU Commission chief says

The European Union must agree a system to handle migrants over the long term, European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, saying the recent fire in the migrant camp on the Greek island Lesvos was "a stark reminder" of the need to act.

"Migration is complex, the old system to deal with it in Europe no longer works," von der Leyen said in a statement to the media as the Commission presented a new proposal.

"We need to find sustainable solutions on migration," she said. "Moria is a stark reminder," she said of the Lesvos fire. [Reuters]

It is now time to rise to the challenge to manage migration jointly, with the right balance between solidarity and responsibility.

Watch the press conference on the new Pact on Migration & Asylum with @MargSchinas and @YlvaJohansson#MigrationEU https://t.co/4l0tIXDGHP

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) September 23, 2020