Take in refugees, EU urges members

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has appealed to member states to take in Afghan refugees flown out from Kabul, promising financial support from Brussels.

"To those who cannot go back or stay home, we have to offer alternatives," von der Leyen said after visiting a military base in northeastern Spain that will serve as a reception center for Afghans arriving from Kabul who worked for the EU.

"This means, first, that we must offer legal and safe routes globally, organized by us, to those who need our protection."

All EU states that had operated missions in Afghanistan needed to draw up adequate quotas so those who needed protection would get it, she said.

"The (EU) Commission stands ready to look into the necessary budgetary means to support EU member states who will step up and help resettle refugees."

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also visited the base, at Torrejon de Ardoz.

Some countries had already agreed to take in the former EU employees, including Denmark and some of the Baltic countries, Sanchez said, without elaborating.

Agencies Via Xinhua