European Leaders Strive to Resolve Differences Over Migrant Acceptance
Leaders from Germany, France, and several other European Union countries held an emergency meeting in Brussels to discuss and exchange views on their disagreements over the issue of migration.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, who faces a domestic political crisis in her country over the migration issue, called on European Union leaders in a Sunday, June 24 meeting to adopt a uniform approach to managing the influx of migrants and refugees to Europe.
However, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, said that his country does not need lessons from any other country regarding the migration issue.
He said: “On this matter, France does not learn from anyone. We were the second largest country hosting refugees. With this spirit, I want to propose a solution with other colleagues who are willing to take responsibility, one that respects our history and our rights and allows us to move forward.”
The main disagreement centers on which country should be responsible for migrant entry and for how long it should be obligated to provide services to migrants, and how to assist EU member states such as Italy and Greece, which are the main entry points for some migrants and refugees.
Mr. Macron met with the Prime Minister of Spain in Paris on Saturday. The leaders of the two countries emphasized the need to increase the number of detention facilities for holding migrants and refugees.
Spain had previously said it would accept the Aquarius charity ship carrying refugees, which Italy had prevented from anchoring in Malta, at its own port.
Italy’s new government says that other European Union countries should shoulder more of the burden of accepting migrants from North Africa.
Source: Voice of America
