(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Germany, backed by Sweden, raised the pressure Monday on neighbours to help it cope with Europe's refugee crisis.
Announcing billions of euros in new funds to accommodate as many as 800,000 people expected to arrive this year, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the entire European Union had to pitch in to "fairly distribute the refugees." She compared Berlin's push to tackle the problem to its action in 2008 to save banks. "We were quick when it was a matter of rescuing banks and I think we should be just as quick when it's a matter of ... dealing with this challenge," Merkel was quoted by German News Agency (DPA) as saying.
But she also shrugged off international praise for her decision to open her country's borders.
"Germany is a country that many people abroad connect with hope, and that is to be valued when you consider our history," said Merkel.
"I don't imagine this is about me. This is about the nation, the many people standing there in the railway stations, the many who are welcoming." Merkel's deputy, Social Democratic leader Sigmar Gabriel, warned that just three of 28 EU nations could not carry the load.
"In the European Union, things happen by negotiation and compromise, and relatively rarely by compulsion," said Gabriel. "However you can't just let things go on as before and compel Germany, Austria and Sweden to shoulder this enormous burden alone."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.