Inaction has contributed to the recent migrant tragedies, by institutionalising their “suicidal journeys”, according to David Casa, the head of the Nationalist Party delegation at the European Parliament.

“We have aided a network of criminals to profit substantially from death and misery. Let us correct our misguided inaction,” Mr Casa told a meeting of the EPP group in Milan.

The group was meeting to formulate a paper prior to yesterday’s EU summit on migration. Mr Casa called for joint efforts between all EU member states to crush smuggling rings.

“Europol must be given the resources and legal powers to carry out these activities. In the interim period, the Libyan coast must be secured,” Mr Casa said.

Ultimately, the only way forward, he said, was a strict quota distribution system for migrants based on the size, population and economic situation of member states.

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