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Speaking amid the chaos of arriving migrants and refugees on the Greek island of Kos, European Commission Vice-President FransTimmermans said that while the crisis is “a global challenge that requires European solutions,” he would welcome support from non-EU countries like Canada.

Timmermans said the EU is still looking for a balance between protecting those needing shelter and keeping out those who only seek economic fortune. He said the “organized solidarity” of the European welfare state “would be completely undermined if we simply say everybody can come in.”

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Timmermans added, though, that “Europe cannot survive either if we take leave of our values and our legal obligations” for those seeking protection from persecution and war.

The refugee and migrant crisis is nothing less than “a moment of truth in European history,” he said.

At the same time, he conceded that help from other countries would be useful. “Syrians deserve refuge all over the world.”

Timmermans said that when it came to refugees fleeing the war in Syria, the EU and international partners had done much less that they could have during the four years of conflict.

Nevertheless, he said that while he has great affection for Canada, he is “not in a position to tell other countries what to do.”

With files from the Associated Press