Juncker says no need to rethink EU refugee policies after Paris attack

ANTALYA – Doğan News Agency

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Nov. 15, 2015. AA Photo

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Nov. 15 there was no need for a complete review of the bloc’s refugee policy after the Paris attacks claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists.  
“Those who organized, who perpetrated the attacks are the very same people who the refugees are fleeing and not the opposite. And so there is no need for an overall review of the European policy on refugees,” Juncker said in a joint conference with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 top world economies (G-20) in the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya.

In his answer to a question regarding differences of opinion between Russia and the EU on the transition period in Syria, Tusk said he would urge all countries to focus their efforts on fighting ISIL.

“Russia shouldn’t oppose moderate Islamist opposition in Syria,” Juncker said, warning against another wave of refugees in case Russia insists on its position. 

Tusk also stresses the financing of terrorism as an important issue to tackle during the G-20 Summit, which he suggested should have a “special responsibility” on the issue.

“There is not a better platform to discuss the financing of terror than the G-20 Summit,” he said, adding that militant organizations could not perform or plan terror attacks unless “financed by other countries.”