Shortly before the end, a bang.
Everyone was waiting on Wednesday for Horst Seehofer’s (72, CSU) plan to stop the flow of migrants from Belarus. But suddenly the interior minister, who was still the minister of the interior, broke loose in the federal press conference against Greece, reckoned with its migration policy and raised serious allegations against Moscow!
The EU partner Greece in particular got its fat off: “The majority of all asylum applications” in Germany come from migrants “who have already applied for asylum in Greece or have even received protection,” said Seehofer.
Of 80,000 applications since the beginning of January, 34,000 have come from migrants who had submitted applications in Greece, according to the Minister of the Interior.
This is how Greece sends migrants on
Effect in Greece according to BILD information: There, due to the “secondary migration”, the number of people has halved – from 82,119 (August 2020) to 42,181 (August 2021)!
In Greece, according to information from the German security authorities, asylum applications are specifically approved, as recognized asylum seekers can move freely around Europe.
The interior minister angrily: “Of those who had already had asylum in Greece, Greece only withdrew one case.”
If nothing changes, according to Seehofer, he will introduce border controls for flights to Greece – a one-time affront to an EU state and a member of the Schengen area. Seehofer: “That would be a very effective measure, which I will also take if we do not come to a joint approach with Greece.”
Seehofer made it clear: “We gave Greece a lot of humanitarian aid. We helped more than 3000 refugees after the fire in Moria. And when you help a country like this, you can expect a consensus to come when it comes to secondary migration, when people who have already found protection simply move on. “
He had personally negotiated a contract with the Greek migration minister, according to which Greece should receive financial help from Germany to ensure that accommodation, care and medical aid are humanely secured in Greece.
Seehofer: “Hybrid Warfare” by Lukashenko
Germany is ready to pay Greece 50 million euros. But, according to Seehofer, Greece has “not yet signed the contract”. He said: “It can’t stay that way!” And: “That doesn’t tolerate any delay!”
Because of the high number of refugees recognized in Greece who applied for protection again in Germany, his house is now examining the possibility of introducing border controls for flights from Greece. He said: “That would be a very effective measure, which I will also take if we do not come to a joint approach with Greece.”
Seehofer called the state-organized wave of refugees over Belarus “hybrid warfare”. He made it clear who is responsible for the thousands of migrants who have come over Belarus since the summer: “Moscow”.
The key, according to Seehofer, is not in Minsk, but in the Kremlin. Clearly meant: Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin holding his hand over Belarus dictator Lukashenko.
Seehofer announced joint border patrols with Poland.
“Must not allow Lukashenko to use migration as a weapon”
Linda Teuteberg (FDP) called for increased police cooperation with Poland.
Teuteberg to BILD: “While border control measures are regularly extended on the German-Austrian border, the corresponding numbers on the German-Polish border are now much higher.”
Teuteberg: “We must not allow Lukashenko to use illegal migration as a weapon against the EU and Germany.” The EU will act “against this type of hybrid warfare”. And further: “The external borders must be protected more effectively and the pressure on the regime in Belarus increased. That also includes tougher sanctions. “
Teuteberg also sees responsibility in Moscow. “The cause is in Minsk, the key in Moscow. Clear, drastic sanctions are needed, including visa policy. “
Seehofer: “Without Moscow, it won’t work in Belarus.” Moscow is increasingly conflict-oriented and not solution-oriented.
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