Guterres addressed his message to European societies that react negatively to the likelihood of receiving refugees. "The vast majority of people do not want to stay in Greece. They are just fleeing the conflict. There is no reason to fear that they might affect the structure of Greek society. In such situations, there is always a conflict of two instincts, namely of fear and solidarity. But we must remember that diversity is wealth for society. And what I have seen in Greece has encouraged me in terms of humanity and solidarity towards refugees. The Greeks are sending a very positive example to the rest of the world."
Antonio Guterres pointed out several times that the refugee problem could not be solved in a purely technocratic manner but in a humane one. Therefore, he stressed that the same approach should apply to returning those migrants who are not entitled to international protection to their countries.
He drew particular attention to the establishment of cooperation in Turkey, where there are about two million Syrians and pointed out that the refugee influx could decline if Turkey and the other first receiving countries (Lebanon and Jordan) allowed them to work.