Editorial: on refugee issues and the folly of self-delusion

Photo: SCANPIX

Pursuant to European Commission plan presented yesterday, Estonia is in for 326 refugees of official UN status from outside of EU i.e. the camps in Northern Africa and Middle East.

To that, add the redistribution of refugees already in Europe. The distribution regarding that will be revealed at end of May, with Estonia’s quota standing at 1.76 percent.

Understandably, in internal policy (not in Estonia alone) any quota comes with varying reactions. «The time of gestures is over,» said Estonian human rights activist Kari Käsper, commenting the issue to journalists – by gestures meaning voluntary decisions by states to help solve the problems.

Obviously, such political forces who think the commission’s approach is wrong would not consent to any tiny percentage. For them, one refugee would be one refugee too many – another extreme.

The plan by the commission will be discussed by European Council. Whatever they will decide, Estonia still has to review its refugee policy. Since 1997, Estonia has accepted but 90 refugees – probably the cause for a relatively high quota. Doubtless, Estonia will manage some 300 refugees. Realising: desiring to enjoy the EU benefits, these come with obligations. Should we need support some day, we’d expect solidarity. Helped in its downturn, Latvia comes to mind as excellent example.

As underlined by the refugee topic, how badly the EU needs common policies. Both for practical reasons and to speak with one foreign political voice – as always explicitly supported by our own representatives.

A main reason for common foreign policy is to have much more of a say around the tables where solutions are sought for the big international conflicts. For that’s where the (war) refugees are coming from, with the corresponding new problems. This means development of the activities of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and of foreing service.

With various matters, member states might prefer to say it’s all right over here – all we smell is the smoke while fire rages someplace else. This is self-delusion. Joining our forces, we must rise to the occasion and put out the fires. And forcefully move to prevent them – also together.