European Union nations remain deeply divided on how to deal with the influx of migrants that is not showing signs of slowing down.
Hundreds of migrants remain trapped Tuesday as Hungary closed its border with Serbia, and Germany continued to implement border restrictions for the first time in decades.
After a summit of EU interior ministers failed to reach consensus in Brussels on Monday, Germany warned it could push for sanctions against EU members that refuse to accept refugee quotas.
Germany, with the EU’s highest gross domestic product and its offers to take in migrants and fund their resettlement, has been the destination of choice for thousands who have been making the long, arduous journey from places that include Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The massive influx prompted German authorities to implement border restrictions this week, diminishing but not stopping the flow of migrants coming in through the Austrian border.
Serbia says it is not able to handle the vast number of migrants gathered along the border with Hungary, after Hungarian officials closed the crossing point as part of a crackdown on the migrants.
Serbia is not a “collection center,” said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic Tuesday. He called it unacceptable for migrants to have to return to Serbia, especially as more and more arrive from Greece and Macedonia.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that under new security measures that took effect Tuesday, his administration will be tough on those who cross the border illegally.
On Tuesday, hundreds passed through Munich’s central train station, which has been the main entry point for thousands for the last few weeks.
German authorities have been busing migrants or putting them on trains to points throughout the country to begin the resettlement process and allow them to apply for asylum. German police say their aim is to ensure the influx is orderly.
But German leaders say Germany should not shoulder the burden alone and this week pressed EU nations to accept obligatory quotas to receive 160,000 migrants. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday said the European Union should put pressure on nations that refuse.
(source: VOA)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
