"I think Russia has to be included to resolve the problems in Syria, and there must be communication with Russia over the crisis, regardless of the sanctions were put in place because of Ukraine," said Sobotka, who added that the involvement of the US is also necessary, in order to stop the flow of refugees fleeing their homes in Syria.
The Czech premier, who took office in January 2014, cautioned that he fears Europe is falling afoul of an "excessive correctness," in its dealing with the situation, which can be traced back to foreign policy mistakes.
"Some countries have a bad conscience when it comes to Libya, Syria, when in the past they did everything they could to topple Assad, with the result that Assad is still there, but now half of the country is under the control of the Islamic State, and millions of Syrians have nowhere to return to."
Discussions about migrant quotas, said Sobotka, are just a distraction, and "can never work."
"We want to return the debate to the causes of the crisis, not waste time on discussions about quotas, which is just a comforter, and being offered as such by some countries to their citizens."
"We have to concentrate on doing what is necessary to stabilize the Middle East and North Africa," declared the Prime Minister.
