Metsola calls for 'Marshall Plan' to stem migration into Europe

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola urged EU member states to put up funds to help develop third-country nationals, as a means to stem migration.

“All too often, our focus is on emergency measures and fire-fighting situations but it is clear that we need to do more work to prevent these situations from occurring in the first place,” she said during a debate at the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. “As politicians, we must move away from our traditional comfort zones and start to tackle the causes of migration; otherwise we risk out actions always being too little too late.”

As such she said that the EU and its members states must establish a ‘Marshall Plan’ for third-country nationals, referring to the programme of US development aid to Europe at the end of World War Two.

“Europe needs to renew its relationship with key states in Africa. We should help states build up their law enforcement, judicial and - crucially - asylum systems so that people in need of protection can also find safe haven in states outside of Europe. However, these states must also accept the return of their nationals who are not in eligible for protection in Europe.”

“Migration is a global phenomenon but one that requires measured, compassionate and effective European leadership,” Metsola said. “Europe needs thinking that goes beyond tomorrow's headlines and instead focuses on tomorrow’s generation. Too often states have been found wanting.”