Ambassador Calls For Long Term Solution of Refugee Problems

Jakarta, June 17 (Antara) - Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Casper Klynge calls for long term solution to refugee problems now be setting southeast Asian region and the European Union. The problems are related to condition in the countries where the refugees came from, Klynge said here on Tuesday. The ambassador made the statement when asked to comment on the refugee problem after attending a seminar on "Democratic Dialog". He said in short term the problem faced by Southeast Asian nations and the European Union need to be settled through humanitarian approach in line with the human rights. The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are facing problem with refugees from Bangladesh and ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar landed on the shores of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Some of the boat people were stranded in the sea even drowned after their boats sank . The refugees from Bangladesh left their country on economic reasons hoping to find a better life in other countries and the Rohingya fled their country to escape racialist conflicts. The European Union is also facing similar problem with waves of refugees from Northern Africa and other African countries torn by communal and political conflicts. They crossed the Mediterranean sea heading for the closest European shores in Italy and Greek on their way to countries in the region. Klynge said the most immediate step is to safe the lives of the boat people and share the responsibility that the destination countries would not be alone to carry the burden. ASEAN and the European Union and international community need to find long term solution such as by helping create jobs and improve political situation in the refugees' countries of origin, he said.