Berlin, Germany : Europe has "completely failed" in its response to the migrant crisis, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a German newspaper interview.
"Regarding registration and sharing (of refugees), European cooperation and solidarity have completely failed," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), cited in German in the paper's Friday print edition.
The Italian, who took up the UN job on January 1, also warned against European countries closing their borders which would de-facto block many refugees, already in distress, in Greece.
"Our message aimed at Europe is: 'Pull yourself together,' and 'Deal with (the situation) yourselves'. But if our help is needed, we will be there."
"Yes it is important that the system (of sharing) be applied, but it will be difficult," said the UN official. "At the moment I don't see a lot of momentum in that direction."
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have repeatedly condemned what they see as indifference by EU member states towards the fate of those fleeing war and misery.
Germany opened its doors to over a million asylum seekers in 2015.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Regarding registration and sharing (of refugees), European cooperation and solidarity have completely failed," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), cited in German in the paper's Friday print edition.
The Italian, who took up the UN job on January 1, also warned against European countries closing their borders which would de-facto block many refugees, already in distress, in Greece.
"Our message aimed at Europe is: 'Pull yourself together,' and 'Deal with (the situation) yourselves'. But if our help is needed, we will be there."
Advertisement
"Yes it is important that the system (of sharing) be applied, but it will be difficult," said the UN official. "At the moment I don't see a lot of momentum in that direction."
Advertisement
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have repeatedly condemned what they see as indifference by EU member states towards the fate of those fleeing war and misery.
Advertisement
Germany opened its doors to over a million asylum seekers in 2015.
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
One In Five Children Gets Exposed To Extreme Heat Globally, Says UN US Names Bald Eagle As National Bird, 200 Years After It Became Country's Symbol International Friendship Day 2024: Date, History and Significance 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off Tear Gas Fired After Kolkata Protest Against Doctor's Rape-Murder Turns Violent "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off Navalny's Wife Rejects Finding He Died From "Combination Of Illnesses" After Night Of Vandalism, Forensic Team Reaches Kolkata Hospital: 10 Points Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.