French Prime Minister: Europe Can No Longer Accept More Refugees

Manuel Valls, the Prime Minister of France, said in an interview with a German newspaper on Wednesday, December 4, that Europe is under severe pressure due to the recent migration crisis and can no longer accept more refugees. According to Reuters, Europe has faced the largest wave of migration since World War II in recent months. Germany has so far accepted a significant portion of about one million refugees who have arrived in Europe in recent months. Manuel Valls told the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, 'We can no longer accept and accommodate more refugees in Europe. It is impossible.' He stated that stricter control over Europe's borders will play an important role in the future of the Union, adding, 'If we do not do this, people will say they do not want such a Europe anymore.' Valls' comments were made just hours before a meeting between French President François Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel's decision a few months ago to open Germany's doors to refugees, most of whom fled war-torn countries like Syria, was initially welcomed in Germany. However, with the continued influx of refugees, the German leader has faced criticism and pressure. Some conservatives in Germany argue that Merkel's decision to open the country's doors to migrants in September has led to an increase in the number of migrants heading to Europe, especially Germany. The debate over the refugee issue has intensified following the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, as some are concerned that jihadist groups may exploit the movement of refugees to send operatives for attacks in Europe. Manuel Valls did not directly criticize the Chancellor's decision to suspend EU policies on accepting refugees, and even stated regarding the acceptance of refugees stranded in Hungary, 'Germany made an honorable decision by accepting them.' However, he noted that the French government was surprised by the German leader's decision, adding, 'It was not France that told the refugees to come.' Emmanuel Macron, the French Minister of Economy, and Sigmar Gabriel, his German counterpart, have proposed that the EU allocate a budget of 10 billion euros to enhance security measures, control the EU's borders, and meet the needs and accommodation of refugees. The United Nations condemned the recent strict measures by some European countries regarding the acceptance of refugees on Tuesday. Due to these strict measures, about a thousand refugees have been stranded at the border between Greece and Macedonia. In this context, protests by refugees at the Macedonia-Greece border have entered their fourth day, protesting the closure of borders.