European Commission urges response to migration crisis

World Today

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has urged the bloc to undertake a “swift, determined and comprehensive” response to Europe’s migration crisis by increasing aid, coordination and a binding quota for the bloc’s 28 members to accept 160,000 refugees.

CCTV’s Jack Barton filed this report from Brussels.

More details:

  • Half a million migrants have entered Europe this year, 20,000 arrived just last weekend and Germany alone expects to receive 800,000 by the end of the year. Greece, Italy and Hungary are singled out as countries no longer able to cope with large numbers of new arrivals.
  • EU would start a fund worth 2 billion U.S. dollars aimed at reducing the number of economic migrants who travel to Europe from Africa. The EU will also create a so-called ‘safe list’ of countries whose citizens will be deported if claiming asylum.

Around 20,000 migrants and refugees on Greek island of Lesbos

The migrants on this small Greek island are living in squalid conditions. Frustration is growing as they wait to board the few ferries heading from the island to the Greek mainland. For more on the living conditions there, CCTV’s Filio Kontrafouri filed this report from Lesbos.


Refugees lighten mood at Bavarian beer festival on German border town
There’s a great relief among refugees who have at last made it to safety. But for many, the grueling journey for a better life is far from complete. The German town of Passau, on the border with Austria, has seen a massive influx of people in recent months. CCTV’s Guy Henderson filed this report.


Erol Kekic on the refugee crisis

For more on the European Commission’s response proposal, CCTV’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Erol Kekic. He’s Director of the Immigration and Refugee Program at Church World Service.


Migrants continue to stream into Europe through Hungary
Hungary has become one of the main focus points in Europe’s refugee crisis over the past few weeks. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson filed this report from the Hungary-Serbia border.