MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The European Union needs a common policy to tackle the migrant crisis, which will only worsen in spring, the deputy mayor of the French Calais city told Sputnik.
"The European Commissioner in charge of immigration is not doing anything, but it is time for Europe to have a common immigration policy," Philippe Mignonet said.
Mignonet explained that as winter descended on Europe, the influx of refugees decreased as it became harder to cross the Mediterranean, but in March the problem would become acute again.
Calais Migrants Refuse to Resettle Fearing to Lose Chance for UK Entry
Migrants in French Calais refuse to leave the so-called Jungle camp on the outskirts of the city and seek asylum in the country as they fear they would be deprived of a possibility to cross into the United Kingdom via the Channel Tunnel, Mignonet told Sputnik.
Earlier this week, the migrants living in appalling conditions in the Jungle camp were given three days to leave the facility and move to a new official camp, which the authorities claim provides better conditions. The refugees were however reluctant to do so fearing they would be forced to apply for asylum in France.
"They are reluctant to leave the Jungle because their only objective is to reach England. We don’t have to be hypocritical by saying that," Philippe Mignonet said.
"Some accept to leave the area to be transferred in facilities in other areas of France to seek asylum, but most of them are refusing," Mignonet said, adding that Calais authorities plan to reduce the number of migrants to reach the maximum number of 2,000 people.
He said applying for asylum in France refugees may receive small apartments in special centers, otherwise they are "illegal people on our territory."
Calais is struggling to manage between 4,500 and 6,000 migrants living in an outdoor refugee tent camp in the city, seeking to travel via the Channel Tunnel to the United Kingdom. At least 16 migrants have been killed attempting the crossing in or near the tunnel since June 2015.
