At the beginning of October 2013 the European Parliament (EP) adopted a non-binding resolution whereby it requested the European Union (EU) to convene a humanitarian conference on the Syrian refugee crisis, aimed to support Syria's neighbouring countries who have to cope with an increasing number of refugees.

According to a press release issued by the EP, European members of parliament requested the EU to support refugees and to guarantee their safe entry and access to fair asylum procedures in the EU. The EP appeals to solidarity with the member states facing particular pressure upon their national asylum systems as a result of the large number of refugees. This humanitarian conference should explore ways for the EU to support countries in the region - Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq - where thousands of Syrians seek refuge. The UN estimated that about 3.5 million refugees left Syria since the burst of the conflict until the end of 2013.

The event should also approach the EU's role and involvement in diplomatic efforts to help stop the conflict in Syria. The resolution encourages EU countries to make full use of money available from the Asylum and Migration Fund and to react in case of need, taking over refugees through the relocation procedure.

Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131008IPR21712/html/Parliament-calls-for-humanitarian-conference-on-Syrian-refugee-crisis