BRUSSELS, The European Union Tuesday stressed that it is preparing a coordinated response to prevent large-scale migration from Afghanistan to Europe and said the regional countries should provide protection to the Afghan refugees.

“Based on lessons learned, the EU and its Member States stand determined to act jointly to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past, by preparing a coordinated and orderly response,” said EU interior ministers in a statement after their extraordinary meeting on Afghanistan in Brussels today afternoon.

“Incentives to illegal migration should be avoided. The EU should also strengthen the support to the countries in Afghanistan’s immediate neighbourhood to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region,” it said.

“As an immediate priority, the EU will continue to coordinate with international partners, in particular the UN and its agencies, on the stabilization of the region and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the vulnerable populations, in particular women and children, in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, ” said the ministers.

The EU will engage and strengthen its support to third countries, in particular the neighbouring and transit countries, hosting large numbers of migrants and refugees, it said.

The EU will do its utmost to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new security threats for EU citizens.

“All efforts must be pursued to ensure that the Taliban regime ceases all ties and practices with international terrorism and that Afghanistan does not become once again a sanctuary for terrorists and organised crime groups,” it said.

Source: Kuwait News Agency