Dealing with refugee crisis Dutch EU Presidency's top priority

BRUSSELS, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Wednesday that the refugee crisis will be a top priority for the six-month Dutch EU Presidency which began on 1 January.
Presenting the priorities of the Dutch EU Presidency in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Rutte said that the agreement with Turkey to stop the flow of refugees to Europe needs to be carried out fast, so as to relieve pressure on the EU's external borders.
He underlined the need to make refugee reception arrangements safe and to get external borders - especially in Greece - under control.
"The current numbers aren't sustainable. We are running out of time. We need a sharp reduction in the coming six to eight weeks," he said.
Other priorities of the Dutch Presidency include growth and employment, enhancing the stability of the Eurozone, and cutting back "the excessive regulations that restrict people and companies". (end) nk.mt