Foreign
GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her support for a European approach to migration on Tuesday.
She reiterated as she faced questions from the public for the first time since a high-profile row on the issue threatened to destabilise her government.
Taking questions from selected members of the public in the eastern city of Jena, Merkel said the political centre on a European level had a responsibility “not only to criticise, but to shape something.’’
“Europe cannot just do what Germany thinks is right,’’ she added.
Merkel also said democracy was not just about majority decisions, but also the protection of minorities. “Europe will only succeed if I say: we are proud to be different. We do not all want to become the same,’’ she said.
Responding to a question about EU bureaucracy, Merkel indicated that red tape in Germany was not just down to the EU: “We also have the impression that in Germany we are often very precise,’’ she said.
As an example of the European approach to migration policy, she said the government in the African transit country of Niger was now working together with Italy, France and the European Commission to combat the smuggling sector.
Merkel confirmed her support for a eurozone budget“Under certain conditions, I can imagine that’’ but said she was sceptical about the idea of a eurozone finance minister.
A major showdown on asylum policy with Interior Minister Horst Seehofer threatened to topple Merkel’s coalition in early July. (dpa/NAN)
-Aug. 14, 2018 @ 18:43 GMT |
Tags: Merkel: European Countries must work together to tackle migration
