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Scotland offers help to tackle mounting refugee crisis in Europe

Sturgeon says Scotland had a moral obligation to help asylum seekers

First Minister of Scotland and the leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland is prepared to take in refugees in order to help ease the crisis in Europe.

Speaking at a summit on the refugee crisis, Sturgeon said Scotland should allow 1,000 asylum seekers “as a starting point for a meaningful discussion." She said that there is cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament for a practical response to a humanitarian crisis. The First Minister is set to hold talks in Edinburgh with the Scottish Refugee Council and others, including council leaders, religious groups and opposition politicians.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister (File photo)

 

The Scottish first minister who had earlier written to the prime minister on the crisis also welcomed David Cameron’s change in mood. She echoed Cameron that the long-term solution to the crisis is to bring stability to the countries such as Syria."It is important we don't describe this as a migration crisis, immigration and asylum are not the same things," she said.

Sturgeon’s remarks followed Cameron’s announcement that he would set out plans next week for the UK to take "thousands more" refugees from camps on the Syrian borders. That means, the UK would allow refugees from UN camps and not from those already in some European countries.

No specific figure has been given. According to the UN refugee agency, the UK would allow a further 4,000 Syrian refugees.


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