At the latest Citizens’ Dialogue organised by the European Commission, Jean Asselborn was joined by Frans Timmermans, the commission’s first vice-president, in what was quite often a heated debate on the future of Europe. If the conversation started to warm up with subjects like protectionism and an EU/US trade war, it became almost incandescent when it turned to the issue of immigration.

“Europe needs a migration policy,” insisted Timmermans, “We can manage migration together as a European Union, but politicians are trying to make people afraid of migration and so, instead of helping, we are seeing increased protectionism.”

For Asselborn the problem is, “There are always people who are convinced that coming to Europe will solve all their problems. They see Europe as a paradise.”

Several people in the audience exclaimed at the same time, “That’s because, in comparison to where they are coming from, Europe is paradise.”

However, “I am not optimistic about how much we can help the people who are coming here under desperate circumstances,” said Asselborn. “The only way forward is for all European countries to work together.”