Revd Dr Robert Innes, the Anglican Bishop in Europe told Premier's News Hour: "I hope that there will be genuine care towards the plight of migrants, and I hope there will be a willingness amongst member countries to respond sypathetically, including our own country."
He said that there the role of Turkey is this is vital: "Turkey has two million migrants from the east, and of course Turkey's not part of the EU and so it's not within the usual EU range of discussions."
The Anglican Bishop in Europe was speaking as European leaders prepare to meet in Brussels for their end of year summit, focussing on the refugee and migration crisis which has divided the member nations.
A resettlement proposal would see EU countries accept Syrian refugees directly from Turkey under a voluntary scheme.
He told Premier: "It's a massive agenda and this meeting can do something - but you can be sure that this problem is with us now for a generation."
David Cameron will also be given the chance to continue is push for a UK-led reform of the EU ahead of the UK's expected in/out referendum on EU membership.
But it is expected that many EU leaders will be hostile to his bid to curb migrants' welfare payments.
The meeting comes as David Cameron has said EU membership renegotiation will deliver a "good deal for Britain".
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to Rt Revd Dr Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe here:
