Statement on World Refugee Day 2016 - Hoofdinhoud

An estimated 60 million people spent 20 June outside their country because of conflict, persecution or factors beyond their control. This global refugee crisis has also become the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, with more than 1 million people seeking protection in the EU last year.

Europe must meet the internal challenges caused by the refugee crisis, but we must also help other countries. The European Committee of the Regions i, the EU's assembly of local representatives, will continue and strengthen its own contribution to Europe's response, both within and beyond the EU's borders.

Within the EU's borders, the CoR believes a comprehensive approach is needed, both to manage the refugee crisis, but also to reduce illegal migration and improve pathways to legal migration. The EU's cities and regions are and will continue to play a critical role in helping refugees. The CoR believes that sustained long-term investment of time and money into integration will strengthen communities and allay the concerns of some in host communities. The EU's cities and regions need to support each other, by exchanging information and knowledge and increasing cross-border cooperation. The EU can help them in various important ways, including through boosting funding.

The CoR also believes that the EU must work beyond its borders, to help refugees in their home region and to address the root causes of the refugee crisis. The CoR is itself trying to help local and regional authorities in the neighbourhood of Syria and in Libya. The challenges they face are too often overlooked. They need sustained support. With the crisis in Syria now in its fifth year, it is vital that we in Europe maintain and improve the support we give local politicians and administrators as they seek to provide services to refugees. World Refugee Day is a call for commitment from all.