Migrant crisis to ‘tear EU apart’ as external border policy fails to appease angry members

Migration issue will tear EU apart says Dr Chris Parry

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Former rear admiral Dr Chris Parry spoke to Express.co.uk and forecast the migrant crisis which has arisen from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan will “tear apart” the European Union. He argues the lack of a unified response, with some members taking disproportionately high numbers of refugees, will see countries bicker and argue over what policy should be followed. The European Union has already seen division during the pandemic as members struggled to get their vaccine programmes off the ground with the looming refugee crisis predicted to mirror the Syrian crisis back in 2015. 

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Parry was asked whether the EU could address the migrant issue which is set to be unleashed across Europe due to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

He explained: “I mean I think unless the European Union is able to agree on an external borders policy and that implies also in terms of quotas, then you’re going to see the migration issue tear the European Union apart.

“There is no question that many countries are getting very concerned about the effect on their societies.

“Hungary, of course, is the most extreme case, other countries are getting worried as well as you can see, Denmark, Sweden, other places in the north.”

Hungary announced it has shut its doors completely to Afghan refugees with the country bolstering its border defences and rules.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic with the leaders agreeing the refugee problem should be fixed at the source, urging Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries to step up.

“Mr Vucic said Serbia would not be the “parking lot” for migrants waiting and planning to move further into Europe as countries begin to bolster their border security.

Mr Kurz said: “At this moment if there’s any migrant wave they are within Afghanistan.

Migrant crisis: Expert criticises French handling of issues

“If there are any waves towards other countries they should be taken care of in neighbouring countries and it must not happen that they head towards Europe.”

Dr Parry was also asked what would be the impact on the UK if National Rally leader Marine Le Pen was elected in France.

He said: “I suspect you’re gonna see pressure on people to say why you coming [to France] when [refugees have] already arrived in Italy, Greece or whatever, that’s how I see these things developing.

“I think the bigger worry for Europe is Le Pen coming in, she will probably seek to leave the European Union or at least threaten it in order to get her way.

“So you’ll see a far more nationalist approach in that respect.

DON’T MISS:
Brexit LIVE: Frost in blunt ultimatum to tear up hated EU deal [LIVE BLOG]
Eight EU nations say no way to Brussels as bloc tries to impose rules [INSIGHT]
SNP slammed by Labour and Tories after nationalist MSP Googles answer [VIDEO]

“The problem is that it’s taken the European Union nearly 28 years to agree on an external borders policy and nothing’s happened.

“It may well be that Afghanistan is the spur to make this at last happen, I don’t think it’s an issue for any one or even two countries to have to deal with, frankly.”

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said Afghans arriving at Europe’s external border will not be deported back to Afghanistan as it is too dangerous for them.

However, during a conference with internal ministers Ms Johansson said the EU should look into ways of resettling refugees nearer to the region they are fleeing from to prevent a huge surge entering the bloc.

Ms Johansson told ministers: “[We] should not wait until people stand at our external border, we need to help them before that.

“It’s also important that we help those under immediate threat to be resettled to EU member states.”

Source: Read Full Article