Dutch call for speedy solution to boat refugee crisis

Dutch foreign minister Bert Koender said on Monday he hopes that urgent measures can be taken to stop any more refugees drowning in the Mediterranean Sea.

‘This must never happen again,’ the minister said in Luxemburg at a top level meeting of EU foreign and home affairs ministers. Called to discuss immigration issues, the ministers will also focus on this weekend’s boat tragedy in which up to 900 people may have died.

‘It is a terrible humanitarian and political drama,’ Koenders said. ‘We cannot look away and this must never happen again.’

The minister said dealing with human trafficking and search and rescue operations were part of the solution. However, the situation in Libya also needs improving, he said. Civil war-wracked Libya is an important through route for boat refugees.

Koenders, who admitted the situation is extremely complex, did not rule out the Netherlands making a bigger contribution to the EU mission in the area. The Dutch currently contribute a spotter plane to the Triton mission.