Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1404527
15 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 25 AUGUST 2021 EUROPE This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. These articles reflect only the authors' view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. VICE President of the Europe- an Parliament Roberta Metsola met today with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an informal meeting in Athens as the push for a breakthrough on a migration deal intensifies. Metsola and PM Mitsotakis discussed the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and underlined the need for global and European actors to work together with the United Na- tions to find solutions that en- able people fleeing Afghanistan and experiencing this human- itarian tragedy to seek protec- tion in the region - quickly in a safe, humane and organised way. "What we are witnessing in Afghanistan is an unfolding tragedy. We need solidarity and we should be able to have a system where people fleeing can also seek protection closer to their home" said Metsola. Beyond the immediacy of the situation in Afghanistan, VP Metsola underlined the need for a coherent approach to asy- lum and migration. "My point remains that migration is a challenge that cannot be left to Member States like Greece or Malta or Italy to deal with – it is a shared European and glob- al challenge and must become a shared responsibility". "Our priority should be the approval of the Immigration Pact as soon as possible. The Pact is rooted in our values and balances the protection of ex- ternal borders and the expres- sion of solidarity on a tangi- ble basis, so that the different approaches between different countries can be bridged", she said Metsola said that the Europe- an Parliament will continue to call for agreement on a clear European approach to migra- tion that balances responsibil- ity on these issues. "We will keep calling for agreement in Europe on a deal that is fair with those in need of protec- tion, firm with those who are not eligible and strong with those trafficking networks that seek to exploit the vulnerable and the desperate. Above all this is a human struggle and must be met with a humane re- sponse" said VP Metsola. Earlier, Metsola visited the Eleonas Centre, outside Athens. During her visit, VP Metsola said that "finding a European way forward on mi- gration, means that we need to understand the conditions on the ground in front-line Mem- ber States like Greece, like Malta, like Italy and to appreci- ate what they are dealing with." Metsola meets Greek Prime Minister in Athens