Catalan labor minister suggests EU fund regional refugee welcoming policies

The Catalan labor minister wants the EU to directly fund European regions that put forth policies to welcome refugee, as does Catalonia.

Chakir el Homrani was in Brussels on Wednesday, where he met with the European Commission director general for migrations and internal affairs, Paraskevi Michou.

In the meeting, El Homrani suggested to her that the Commission should “think” about the territories and the work they do to welcome refugees.  

And, according to the Catalan official, she “agreed that the responsibility of welcoming [refugee] is for the territories,” and committed to considering how the funds can “directly” get to regions.

“She agrees with us that the border issue is for states to discuss, but is aware that we're the ones who do the work on welcoming and social integration,” said el Homrani.