Germany frees up funds for refugees, speeds up asylum procedures
Updated: 2015-09-07 09:49
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
Wellwishers wave to migrants leaving with a bus on their way to a refugee camp after their arrival with a train in Dortmund, Germany September 6, 2015. Austria and Germany threw open their borders to thousands of exhausted migrants on Saturday, bussed to the Hungarian border by a right-wing government that had tried to stop them but was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers reaching Europe's frontiers. [Photo/Agencies] |
BERLIN - The German government decided to free up additional three billion euros ($3.35 billion) for federal states and municipalities to help cope with this year's record influx of refugees and migrants, a joint statement by the ruling coalition issued on Monday said.
At a high-level meeting that lasted more than five hours, leaders from Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition also agreed on a series of other measures, such as speeding up asylum procedures and facilitating the construction of asylum shelters.
In addition to the three billion euros for states and municipalities, the government is planning to free up an additional three billion euros to fund its own expenses, such as paying benefits for asylum seekers, the joint statement said.
The agreement included widening the list of countries deemed "safe", meaning their citizens generally have no claim to asylum, to include Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro. Among those already in that category are Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia.
The aim is to speed up asylum and extradition procedures for migrants from southeastern Europe, in order to focus on refugees from war-torn countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The coalition meeting came at the end of a weekend that saw 18,000 refugees entering the country after Germany and Austria had agreed with Hungary to waive rules requiring refugees to register an asylum claim in the first EU country they reach.
Merkel's decision to allow thousands of refugees stranded in Hungary to find a new home in Germany has caused a rift within her conservative bloc with her Bavarian allies accusing her of sending a "totally wrong signal".
Germany expects a record influx of 800,000 migrants and refugees this year, by far the most in the European Union. In August alone, more than 100,000 asylum seekers were registered in Europe's largest economy. 957 euro)
- 50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region
- Red carpet looks at the 72nd Venice Film Festival
- China beats Russia in 4 sets at volleyball World Cup
- 8th Int'l Military Music Festival 'Spasskaya Tower' begins
- Downpour floods streets in Beijing
- Veterans attend V-Day anniversary gala show
- Military helicopters write number 70 high in the sky
- Salute to veterans
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Ex-VP nominee Palin: Immigrants in US should 'speak American'
Austria, Germany open borders to migrants
Central government steps up economic support for Tibet
China economy enters 'new normal' eyeing 7% growth rate: G20
Troop cuts signal path of peaceful development
Sino-Russian investment fund eyes more deals
Predicting Internet's future without a crystal ball
Silk Road Fund to expand ties with lenders
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |