Angela Merkel has defended her decision to accept one million refugees from Syria in 2015, when she was then chancellor of Germany. In an interview with an Italian TV channel, Merkel emphasized that Europe has a humanitarian responsibility towards refugees.
Asked whether she agreed with the decision of many European countries to suspend asylum applications from Syrians, Merkel replied: “It was right to accept these refugees in 2015. Now the situation is developing rapidly, the Assad regime has fallen, but we don’t know what will happen and I hope for peaceful developments in Syria. We have to wait and see what happens, and those responsible today will make the necessary decisions,” Merkel replied at the launch of her book “Freedom,” published in Italian by Milanese publisher Rizzoli.
Merkel: “We did it together”
“In 2015 I said to the Germans: we can do it. And we did it together, many people supported the refugees. On the other hand, what would have been the alternative? Fending off refugees at the borders with water cannons? I didn’t do that then and I wouldn’t do that now. Finally, we also concluded the agreement with Turkey to limit illegal migration,” Merkel said.
Changing mentality among younger generations
The ex-chancellor sees a change in mentality among the younger generations. “Today’s young people grew up in this Europe and will not return to the idea that each country can do it alone. Europe must stand up for itself together, think about everything we have: the common market, the free movement of people. We can face the challenges of the United States or China,” the former German chancellor said. “We are small and if we argue, we ultimately count for nothing,” Merkel added.
Source: Krone
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