“I believe that the majority of people in Europe want to demonstrate solidarity with the refugees.” PeopleWantBelieveI BelieveEuropeMajoritySolidarityRefugee Author:Martin Schulz
“The stubborn stance of some European governments on the refugee question is a reprisal less aimed at Angela Merkel or (Vice Chancellor) Sigmar Gabriel than at certain people on Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin.” PeopleGovernmentCertainVicesStubbornRefugeeBerlinStanceGabrielAngelaReprisal Author:Martin Schulz
“We all have to accept accusations that we ignored the refugee crisis for far too long. The first time that I referred to the Mediterranean Sea as Europe's cemetery was in October 2013, when hundreds of people drowned off Lampedusa. Italians, Maltese, Greeks and Spaniards have been pleading for help for years. But nobody cared.” PeopleYearsFirstsLongHas BeensHelpingAcceptingSeaFirst TimeEuropeCrisisGreekIgnoredRefugeeOctoberCemeteryAccusationPleadingNobody CaresRefugee CrisisSpaniardsMediterranean Sea Author:Martin Schulz
“The quota idea is a good one, but there are two problems with it. The first is clear: A quota system would also require all European countries to be prepared to take refugees. And secondly: What happens when the quota has been filled? Would we then simply tell those who are threatened, sorry but we have to send you back?” FirstsHas BeensTwoIdeasCountryProblemHappensClearFilledPreparedSorryBe PreparedThreatenedRefugeeEuropean CountriesQuota Author:Martin Schulz
“Turkey is doing an enormous amount in the refugee question, but it can't continue to pay for everything by itself. That is why we have to talk to Turkey about money.” PayAmountEnormousRefugeeTurkeys Author:Martin Schulz
“Refugees cost us money too when they come to us. If we improve their living conditions in Turkey, we create an incentive for them to stay there and not to place their fates in the hands of smugglers.” IfsHandsFateConditionsCostRefugeeIncentivesTurkeysSmugglersLiving Conditions Author:Martin Schulz
“I am critical of the fact that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is pulling out of everything - the joint approach to the refugee issue, for example. He cannot disparage his colleagues in the EU either - that's not how we treat each other. We require solidarity: in refugee policies, just as in the financial architecture of the structural funds from which countries like Hungary have strongly profited from for years.” YearsCountryFactsIssuesPolicyExampleApproachTreatsFinancialCriticalArchitectureMinistersFundPrimePullingSolidarityColleaguesPrime MinisterRefugeeJointsHungaryOrbsHungarians Author:Martin Schulz
“The claim made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that the refugee question is a German problem is incorrect. It is a European problem.” MadeProblemClaimsMinistersPrimePrime MinisterRefugeeOrbsHungarians Author:Martin Schulz
“I am grateful to the Germans in general, particularly those who displayed unending dedication to the refugees and who continue to do so.” GratefulDedicationRefugeeUnendingI Am Grateful Author:Martin Schulz
“The dream of Europe is a region of freedom and peace, of security, law, democracy, tolerance and mutual respect. If you look into the faces of the refugees you will see this dream. These are people who are fleeing from war, hate, violence and unjust systems.” PeopleIfsLooksWarDreamFacesLawHateDemocracyViolenceSecurityEuropeToleranceRegionsMutualUnjustRefugeeFleeingMutual RespectFreedom And Peace Author:Martin Schulz
“For me, respect is an extremely important political term. Since I began campaigning, it has been at the heart of each of my speeches. Many people have the feeling that politicians aren't paying a sufficient amount of attention to them. And then, when the refugees arrived on top of all problems, there was a feeling: You do everything for them, but nothing for us. This mixture of frustration and fear has led to this reaction. That is why it is so important to show these people: We respect you.” PeopleHeartImportantFeelingsProblemPoliticalTermAttentionPoliticianFrustrationRefugeeCampaigning Author:Martin Schulz
