the crisis was discussed from germany where dominick caine reports. >>reporter: a moment of silence. after a day of meetings here the eu foreign policy chief said it was now imperative to act. >> i think that today we are developing a truly european sense of urgency and solidarity solidarity in fighting human trafficking. finally. >>reporter: the proposed new measures include strengthening its mission in niger, destroying boats used by traffickers which are often unseaworthy or illegal. to strengthen and give more money to rescue operations and to get member states to share responsibility for the resettlement and relocation of refugees. because the country that has borne the brunt of the migrant wave says it can no longer cope on its own. >> it's a european emergency. it's not the problem to help italy. it's a problem to help europe. you can't have a european emergency and an italian answer. >>reporter: that's the answer to the operation which cost more than $100 million during the 12 months it ran for and which was closed down last year. many migrant

dominick caine has been to visit one small company which says german values are the key to success. >>reporter: for 20 years, she has been turning out high-grade steel products. it has a staff of 57 workers and an annual turnover of more than $26 million. it's what germans call a small or medium term enterprise. the workers pride themselves on their efficiency competence, and innovation. >>reporter: we germans have certain character traits at this time that are seen as difficult in europe ambitious, making us -- during this so-called crisis. >>reporter: small and medium-term enterprises are what helped to form the backbone of germany. they benefit from business-friendly conditions and grow through exports through the rest of the european union. but the political opposition in germany believes the growth here, they say another solution is needed. >> we are remembering the master plan and there was money given to west germany to restart and economy to strengthen the economy and that's what we need for europe and for greece too. >>reporter: one analyst told me it's wrong to think leade