EU Bishops ask for more refugee visas for Iraqis
European bishops have appealed to governments to permit more refugees from Iraq to live in the region. "We ask the EU to increase the number of visas for Iraqi refugees in the next two years", said part of a note closing the COMECE plenary session in Brussels on the theme "external action from the EU: challenges and prospects". The bishops examined the Iraqi situation as well as European cooperation with Africa and the issue of the status of Kosovo, which aspired to independence from Belgrade. In view of the EU summit in Lisbon in December and the possible establishment of a high representative for foreign affairs, the bishops have suggested to establish a unit to be placed "within the future Service for external Relations, which consider, where necessary, the religious dimension of international issues." Source: MISNA