Hollande, Merkel agree on common response to refugees crisis

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday agreed "on common proposals" to help address the refugees crisis, saying they would soon transmit their joint suggestions to the European Union (EU).

Facing "successive tragedies" and "thousands of victims (who) have died since the beginning of the year" trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, "the European Union must act decisively and in accordance with its values", Hollande and Merkel said.

The two leaders proposed to better organise migrants' accommodation and a fairer distribution of seekers for refuge across Europe Union member states, Xinhua reported.

They also called for a common and strong European asylum system, ensure the return of economic migrants back to their native countries, and provide the necessary support and cooperation with countries of origin and of transit.

"These are men and women, with their families, fleeing war and persecution. They need international protection... Europe must protect those for whom this is their last hope," they said.