04 March 2016•Update: 04 March 2016
PARIS
Europe must “show solidarity” to find a solution to the refugee crisis, France’s president has warned.
Francois Hollande issued the warning on Friday ahead of a crucial EU-Turkey summit on the migrant and refugee crisis on March 7.
Hollande held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris, during which they both had phone calls with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
The French leader told a news briefing they all agreed “the ceasefire in Syria should be respected by everyone…We also wanted that humanitarian aid be delivered in the best conditions for the [Syrian] people."
On the political transition process in Syria, Hollande said: "The Russians have accepted this principle of negotiation.”
"I would like to stress one more time that the commitment to hold the ceasefire was confirmed as a key message by the Russian president; only attacks on Daesh and al-Nusra Front," Merkel said.
"In the end, our objective is to put Schengen back in order, which will happen through coordination, solidarity and reinforcement of our mutual resources," Hollande said.
“The answer is Europe… It is Europe. Europe must be capable of finding the expected solutions,” he added. "The Syrian refugees should be allowed access to the closest place possible to their country, such as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon."
The French leader said Europe must provide needed support to those countries.
He added: "If we solve the political situation in Syria we will be necessarily spared the refugee crisis."
The German Chancellor also highlighted efforts made by non-EU hosting countries, Turkey in particular.
“Our efforts are not done yet ... I understand that Turkey also expects Europe to deliver," Merkel said.
Hollande also repeated France’s commitment to take 30,000 Syrian or Iraqi refugees.
