THEME
This is crucial if we are to ever face down those who pollute the political debate with black and white answers to an issue that is anything but black or white. The EPP is not suggesting that we throw open our borders, as some want; nor are we suggesting that the solution lies in higher walls or longer fences, as others claim. We are the ones pushing to draw differences between those in need of protection and those who come to Europe for work. Because we understand that while people fleeing war and persecution have a right to protection, it is also true that this does not equate to an inalienable right to migration for everyone. We know that not everyone who arrives in Europe is in fact eligible for protection. And we understand that the return of those who are not eligible simply must be carried out. Only 36 percent of those who were ordered to leave the Union were actually returned in 2014. Without this element there can be no proper approach to migration and asylum, but this must be done with humanity and respect of people’s dignity. We want a new approach to integration. In my view, the way forward is having a two-way process; and while yes, everyone’s rights must be protected and yes, we must do more to keep families together – it
is also fair to expect people to respect the values upon which our Union is founded. We must also have a conversation about tackling the root causes and understanding that greater commitment is needed to solve the geo-political issues of our time. We need to move away from firefighting and start to think about long-term capacity building in third countries. If we want to do more, then we need to look beyond our political mandate and pump investment into third countries. Despite the rhetoric we hear more and more often, the link between migration and terrorism has little basis in fact, but that does not mean that when it comes to security we can bury our heads in the sand. It is true that security fears do exist among our citizens and States must fulfil their obligations at the external borders if these fears are to be in any way allayed. The abolition of internal border controls in Schengen has to go hand in hand with strengthening external borders. We must have our systems working and we must know who is crossing our external borders. Having strong external borders is simply a prerequisite if we are to save our celebrated Schengen Zone.
that unite us. It is up to us – each and every one of us – to make our voices heard and work to ensure that today's problems do not become tomorrow's catastrophes. This is your challenge. Rise to the occasion. Being young does not exonerate you from responsibility, it does the opposite. The issues we face today are your issues. It is not somebody else's fight, it is yours. Do not remain silent. Demand more from those you elect to represent you. Believe that change is possible and that it must start from you making your voices heard. You are not only tomorrow's leaders, you are today’s. That is the duty of youth. That is your duty.
Roberta Metsola MEP Perhaps more than ever before we need people to stand up and speak out for Europe and the principles
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