G20 to agree refugees a global issue

The G20 group will agree at their summit in China that refugees are a global issue and the burden must be shared, a senior European Union diplomat said Monday.

"The communique reaffirms that it is a global issue, and requires burden-sharing among the countries," the diplomat told reporters, shortly before the declaration was due to be released at the end of the summit.

"It explicitly mentions the need for increasing financial assistance as well as strengthening the contributions of the global community."

The diplomat said G20 was making a strong stand, and had overcome initial reluctance from Argentina and Brazil on including the issue in the communique, but noted it was not a binding commitment.

"There is a difference between commitment and enforcement... at least, it's here," he said.

"Of course we have to take into account the fact that it is a sovereignty issue… it is not an obligation, but the burden-sharing is there."

Source:AFP