According to Haavisto, Finns are more concerned with the Somali refugees living in Finland than with the actual conflict. He says he believes the key issue is for refugees to be able to return to their homes.

Haavisto says he is in favour of introducing a biometric passport requirement for asylum seekers. It is important that the EU harmonise its asylum policies to prevent asylum shopping within the union, he says.

Haavisto, a former Minister of the Environment and Development Co-operation, serves as the European Special Representative for Sudan.

Last week, calls were made to tighten rules on the family reunification of refugees after suspicions emerged that young Somali girls were being trafficked under the policy.