(MENAFN- Morocco World News) The German government has threatened to suspend development aid to Morocco if it does not take back its nationals whose refugee status was rejected.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is reconsidering her country's foreign aid to those countries that do not cooperate in taking back their citizens who requested asylum in Germany and whose applications were denied.
North African countries mainly Morocco and Algeria are the first ones that Merkel's government is forcing to retrieve their nationals who entered Germany alongside Syrian refugees according to Arabic daily Akhbar Al Ayoum in its Tuesday issue. “These countries receive economic aid from Germany but in turn refuse to cooperate on this issue. This is unacceptable” German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said regarding Morocco and Algeria. According to the same source Germany's move to threaten to stop its aid comes after the violence that shook the country in the last few months especially on New Year's Eve where Moroccan refugees were allegedly involved in sexual attacks and robberies. Official statistics claim that nearly 40 percent of Moroccans nationals who have registered as asylum seekers in Germany have reportedly committed criminal acts in recent months the daily noted. Angela Merkel is being pressured to shut down borders five months after Germany opened its doors to Syrian refugees. According to Reuters over 100 conservative lawmakers from political parties in Germany sent a letter to Merkel urging her to change in her 'open-border' policy. “We are facing excessive demands on our country. We believe a change is urgently needed in current migration practice … by a return to the strict use of existing law” the letter stated. The German government will reportedly pass a legislation to expel Moroccan and Algerian immigrants and place them in detention centers pending deportation the Arabic daily said. Following a meeting between Chancellor Merkel and the Governor of Bavaria Horst Seehofer it was decided to classify Morocco and Algeria as 'safe countries' whose nationals do not qualify for refugee status. The German leader has received opposition from her own cabinet members regarding her refugee policy. On Monday Germany’s Transport Minister called on Merkel to close Germany’s borders to stem the influx of immigrants. “It is not on if Mrs Merkel lets herself be cheered for inviting over one million refugees … while her CDU bows out of responsibility for long-term integration” Vice Chancellor Gabriel said this week criticizing his boss according to Reuters.
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