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DUBAI // Although the European Union faced many challenges in relocating and resettling millions of refugees, a senior EU official says there have been improvements in the past month.

Since the EU began doing so in October 2015, about 10,000 people have been relocated from Greece and about 4,000 from Italy.

Last month, about 2,000 people were relocated from the two countries, compared with fewer than 250 people in the same period last year. More than 14,400 people have been relocated in all.

"I have to admit that some times there are differences and different approaches about policies," said Christos Stylianides, the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid.

"We faced a lot of problems regarding this scheme but regardless of any differences, the framework is very concrete in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

"Its quite important to keep our moral framework as Europeans and I completely disagree with all of them who believe we can cope with the present situation where we build fences and walls."

Mr Stylianides said border control was important but helping refugees was a humanitarian duty.

He pointed to Germany as an example of a country that has welcomed 1.5 million refugees. Other European countries such as Greece, Italy, France, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal showed generosity and maturity in accommodating refugees, said Mr Stylianides.

The EU has spent more than 90 billion (Dh354.8bn) on resolving the global refugee crisis, particularly in Syria.

Mr Stylianides said the EU believed that focusing on education "is the only way to deal with this unprecedented situation on the ground". He added: "Otherwise, our work after 15 years will be in vain because of the lost education and we will see a lost generation."

Mr Stylianides said he had increased his budget for refugee childrens education after meeting a refugee family in Lebanon in 2013. "We provided them shelter, food and all the basic needs. Although the mother thanked me, she said her children needed a future, prospects and education. For me, it was a real trigger to focus on education," he said.

cmalek@thenational.ae

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European Union reports improvements in its relocation of refugees - The National