desperate people. Reverting to national policies
or thinking and operating on the basis of national
agendas does not lead anywhere.”
As regards the activation of article 19 of the
Schengen Agreement, which concerns a series of
recommendations for remedying the situation at
Europe’s external borders and all points were
problems have been identified, Mr. Avramopoulos
says: “All member states must meet their respon-
sibilities, because the Schengen area is only
threatened by the poor implementation of rules.”
Clarification
On the other hand, though, he clarifies that: “Right
now, we are at the peak of two crises: security and
migration. And while they overlap in timing, they
should not be confused.” Because: “Those people
who have arrived on our shores are precisely flee-
ing the same terror that has struck us, right here in
the heart of Europe. To antagonise those seeking
protection would be giving in to the hatred and divi-
sion that terrorists seek to sow.”
Recently visiting the “purgatory” of Idomeni, as
well as many other “camps”, Mr. Avramopoulos
witnessed the human tragedy and saw firsthand
that European institutions are being severely
tested:
“The situation is tragic and unacceptable. This is
where the principles and values of the civilised
world are being daily tested. We see people living
under horrible conditions.
“They are the victims of exploitation by ruthless
rigs of traffickers that misinform them. This has to
stop immediately. At the same time, though, a
huge effort is being made, with the assistance of
Europe, to operate the first hot-spots near
Idomeni. We have to establish legal routes.
“What we are experiencing, in this corner of
Europe“, he emphasises, “is a disgrace for every-
one. We must immediately turn the last page to
the drama of all those people, who, under tough
and tragic conditions chose this dangerous road
to Europe, in order to escape from war, devasta-
tion, terrorism.”
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