Fairer distribution and strict control of the EU’s external borders: In an interview, Federal President Steinmeier made suggestions to ease the burden on Germany and Italy when it comes to accepting migrants. “European solutions” are needed.
During his trip to Italy, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier pressed for a fair distribution of migrants arriving in Europe. Germany and Italy are “at the limit” when it comes to accepting refugees, Steinmeier said in an interview with the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera”. Both countries bear large burdens. “So I take it seriously when I hear cries for help from Italy, but also from German cities,” Steinmeier emphasized.
Steinmeier: The number of arrivals should decrease
We must now work “together and in a focused way on humane and sustainable long-term European solutions”. He spoke out in favor of a permanent regulation for the distribution of refugees in the EU. “In the negotiations on the common right to asylum, a permanent solidarity mechanism must also be created so that there is not just voluntary solidarity”, stated the Federal President.
Steinmeier called for a joint effort: “We all have to make an effort so that the burden remains bearable and the number of arrivals drops again.” What is needed is fair burden-sharing across Europe and stricter control and surveillance of Europe’s external borders. “The criminal businesses of smugglers must be decisively combated.”
Apparently 2,500 people were detained
Steinmeier is in Italy from Wednesday to Friday. Among others, she meets with President Sergio Mattarella in Sicily. The capacity to welcome refugees on the Italian island has been exhausted. Thousands of boat migrants from Africa have also disembarked in Lampedusa in recent days. Only today did 900 people arrive there, reports the Ansa news agency.
The island has already declared a state of emergency. According to Ansa, the initial reception center is still overcrowded. More than 1,700 people are in the so-called hotspot, including almost 450 unaccompanied minors. Smugglers send people to Lampedusa, especially from Tunisia, in boats that are sometimes unseaworthy and overcrowded. The Tunisian coast guard says it has stopped more than 2,500 migrants from crossing into Europe in recent days.
According to government data, more than 130,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since the beginning of the year – almost double the number for all of 2022.
EU interior ministers agreed to reform
Germany currently no longer accepts migrants from Italy through the voluntary solidarity mechanism because Italy refuses to accept people back under the so-called Dublin procedure.
In June, EU interior ministers agreed to reform the asylum system in the European Union. Among other things, states on external borders should be helped by other states that show solidarity and accept refugees. Otherwise, they will have to pay compensation. So far there has only been voluntary distribution to other EU countries. The EU Council and the EU Parliament still have to negotiate the reform.
Federal Government: “Governmental effort”
Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner declined to comment directly on Steinmeier’s statement that Germany was at its “breaking point.” But it is true that “the high number of accesses requires a great national effort”, he said in Berlin. Federal, state and local governments are “overwhelmed” and must also “work together to find a solution.”