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Germany and France to push for joint EU immigration and security policies Germany and France to push for joint EU immigration and security policies
(about 4 hours later)
Germany and France are to launch a drive for more concerted European immigration and security policies following the foiled attack on an Amsterdam-Paris high-speed train and with Europe reeling under the strain of the biggest migration emergency since the end of the second world war.Germany and France are to launch a drive for more concerted European immigration and security policies following the foiled attack on an Amsterdam-Paris high-speed train and with Europe reeling under the strain of the biggest migration emergency since the end of the second world war.
Francois Hollande is to travel to Berlin on Monday evening to draft common Franco-German initiatives on immigration and security with Angela Merkel. They will also focus on the worsening situation in eastern Ukraine.
Berlin, in particular, is increasingly determined to push a new system of mandatory quotas for refugees across the EU despite the plan being rejected amid acrimonious scenes by EU leaders at a summit in June. The European commission is also to propose a new “permanent” system of emergency refugee-sharing across the union.Berlin, in particular, is increasingly determined to push a new system of mandatory quotas for refugees across the EU despite the plan being rejected amid acrimonious scenes by EU leaders at a summit in June. The European commission is also to propose a new “permanent” system of emergency refugee-sharing across the union.
Following Friday’s abortive train attack in France, and given the immigration pressure, several EU countries have said that national border controls may have to be re-established across Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel zone.Following Friday’s abortive train attack in France, and given the immigration pressure, several EU countries have said that national border controls may have to be re-established across Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel zone.
Berlin is also warning of reintroducing national border controls unless other countries step up to the plate and share the refugee burden more equitably.Berlin is also warning of reintroducing national border controls unless other countries step up to the plate and share the refugee burden more equitably.
Proposals from Brussels in May to introduce mandatory refugee quotas across the EU on a small initial scale were rejected by Spain and most of eastern Europe. At their June summit, leaders argued till 3.30am and agreed nothing.Proposals from Brussels in May to introduce mandatory refugee quotas across the EU on a small initial scale were rejected by Spain and most of eastern Europe. At their June summit, leaders argued till 3.30am and agreed nothing.
Since then, the number of migrants entering Greece, Italy and the Balkans has soared, with Germany predicting the arrival of 800,000 asylum seekers and refugees this year and figures for the EU projected to triple compared with 2014.Since then, the number of migrants entering Greece, Italy and the Balkans has soared, with Germany predicting the arrival of 800,000 asylum seekers and refugees this year and figures for the EU projected to triple compared with 2014.
Thousands of exhausted migrants crossed on foot from Macedonia into Serbia on Monday on their way to the EU. The rush came after Macedonia lifted a blockade of its border with Greece, which was put in place when thousands of migrants rushed past Macedonian police, who tried to stop their entry by force. About 7,000 migrants, including many women with babies and small children, crossed into Serbia over the weekend. Some were pushed in wheelchairs or walked on crutches.Thousands of exhausted migrants crossed on foot from Macedonia into Serbia on Monday on their way to the EU. The rush came after Macedonia lifted a blockade of its border with Greece, which was put in place when thousands of migrants rushed past Macedonian police, who tried to stop their entry by force. About 7,000 migrants, including many women with babies and small children, crossed into Serbia over the weekend. Some were pushed in wheelchairs or walked on crutches.
After entering Serbia, the migrants will head further north towards Hungary, which is an EU member. From there they want to head to richer EU countries.After entering Serbia, the migrants will head further north towards Hungary, which is an EU member. From there they want to head to richer EU countries.
The commission, as the guardian of the Schengen system, insisted on Monday that the free travel area was sacrosanct and would not be changed, but added that national authorities could mount identity checks and other monitoring measures on rail traffic and in problem areas as long as the action did not amount to border controls.The commission, as the guardian of the Schengen system, insisted on Monday that the free travel area was sacrosanct and would not be changed, but added that national authorities could mount identity checks and other monitoring measures on rail traffic and in problem areas as long as the action did not amount to border controls.
With European asylum and immigration policies increasingly confused and national governments failing to come up with a coherent response to the worst migratory pressures witnessed in many countries, Berlin and Brussels are sounding the alarm.With European asylum and immigration policies increasingly confused and national governments failing to come up with a coherent response to the worst migratory pressures witnessed in many countries, Berlin and Brussels are sounding the alarm.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the commission, has said the failure to be more generous and sharing on the refugee issue meant that “this is not the Europe I want to live in”.Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the commission, has said the failure to be more generous and sharing on the refugee issue meant that “this is not the Europe I want to live in”.
Related: Europe’s migrant ‘emergency’ is entirely of its own making | Rube1n AnderssonRelated: Europe’s migrant ‘emergency’ is entirely of its own making | Rube1n Andersson
Germany’s social democrat leaders warned that public opinion would turn against the EU if it was left with more than one third of those seeking asylum in Europe, while many other countries, mostly in eastern Europe, admitted minimal numbers of refugees.Germany’s social democrat leaders warned that public opinion would turn against the EU if it was left with more than one third of those seeking asylum in Europe, while many other countries, mostly in eastern Europe, admitted minimal numbers of refugees.
On Monday it emerged that the German authorities had decided to waive certain EU asylum rules for Syrians, without informing Brussels. Berlin’s immigration authority ruled that all Syrians entering Germany would have their asylum claims processed, forgoing the right to have them deported back to the first EU country the claimants entered.On Monday it emerged that the German authorities had decided to waive certain EU asylum rules for Syrians, without informing Brussels. Berlin’s immigration authority ruled that all Syrians entering Germany would have their asylum claims processed, forgoing the right to have them deported back to the first EU country the claimants entered.
German chancellor Angela Merkel condemned violent protests against refugees that erupted over the weekend in eastern Germany, blaming them on far-right extremists who were bent on spreading a “disgusting” message of hatred.German chancellor Angela Merkel condemned violent protests against refugees that erupted over the weekend in eastern Germany, blaming them on far-right extremists who were bent on spreading a “disgusting” message of hatred.
More than 30 police were injured in clashes in the town of Heidenau, near Dresden, early on Saturday morning after a mob of several hundred people began pelting officers with bottles and fireworks. Some of them shouted “Heil Hitler”.More than 30 police were injured in clashes in the town of Heidenau, near Dresden, early on Saturday morning after a mob of several hundred people began pelting officers with bottles and fireworks. Some of them shouted “Heil Hitler”.
Germany has witnessed dozens of arson attacks on asylum shelters in recent months. But the violence in Heidenau, which continued on Saturday and Sunday nights, was unprecedented.Germany has witnessed dozens of arson attacks on asylum shelters in recent months. But the violence in Heidenau, which continued on Saturday and Sunday nights, was unprecedented.