"Greece's border is Germany's border": Guy Verhofstadt - European Border and Coast Guard starting in Greece and Bulgaria top priority – During today's debate on the refugee crisis, ALDE-leader Guy Verhofstadt has pledged support to immediately start with a European Coast and Border Guard in Greece and Bulgaria: "We have to make the Balkan route obsolete and manage the refugee influx directly at our common border. Greece's border is the German border, the French border, the Dutch border, the Austrian border, it is European's border that we have to protect together. It is the only way to end the current uncontrolled European refugee flow." Verhofstadt applauded the initiative taken by President Juncker to put the main players at the table. He urged Council President Tusk and Commission President Juncker to fast-track the setting up of the European Coast and Border Guard to manage the refugee flow directly at the Greek border. "The European Border and Coast Guard should not only protect the Greek and Bulgarian borders, but also manage to make the distinction between asylum seekers and economic migrants, to process their asylum application and to provide them with decent living conditions. No children should sleep in the mud anymore, the current situation is a disgrace. We have to put our house in order." Verhofstadt also warned that Europe should take matters in its own hands if it still wants to play a role on the world stage. Last Friday the US, Russia, Turkey and Saudi-Arabia met in Vienna to discuss the future of Syria. High Representative Mogherini happened to be also in Vienna, but was not invited to the meeting. Verhofstadt: "Unlike the Vienna congress in 1815, where the European nations decided on the future of our continent, it is now the other powers that decide for us. The European Union is treated like a colony and we only have ourselves to blame for it." "I remember well the summit on the Iraq war in the Azores, organized by Mr. Barosso. Europe provided the location, but was absent when decisions were taken. We were relegated to the role of receptionist." "We need to take matters in our own hands again. We should not let events or other countries govern our affairs. It's time that Europe takes control over its own destiny."

• published: 27 Oct 2015
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