EU chief appeals to members: take in Afghan refugees

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday appealed to European Union states to take in Afghan refugees flown out from Kabul, promising financial support from Brussels. "To those who cannot go back or stay home, we have to offer alternatives," said von der Leyen, after visiting a military base in northeast Spain that will serve as a reception centre for Afghans arriving from Kabul who worked for the EU. "This means, first, that we must offer legal and safe routes globally, organised by us, to those who need our protection." All EU states that had operated missions in Afghanistan needed to draw up adequate quotas so those who needed protection would get it, she said.