CHARLIE FLANAGAN SAYS MEDITERRANEAN MIGRANT CRISIS BIGGEST SINCE WWII
The Foreign Affairs Minister says the Mediterranean migrant crisis is now the biggest since the Second World War.
Charlie Flanagan was speaking ahead of a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels, which could lead to a new naval force to intercept people smugglers before their boats reach European waters.
The European Council President, Donald Tusk, says the Union cannot welcome all migrants – and will need a return policy to tackle the problem.
Minister Charlie Flanagan says the root of the crisis needs to be tackled first.
“Conflict and instability are driving families out of their homes, away from their communities” he said.
“More than 50 million are now displaced in the region, and this is the greatest number since the Second World War”.
“So we’re dealing with a real and serious crisis” he added.
