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Austria and Germany open borders to refugees travelling through Hungary Austria and Germany open borders to refugees travelling through Hungary
(34 minutes later)
Thousands of refugees making their towards Germany and Austria from Hungary will be allowed to enter those two countries, the Austrian chancellor Werner Faymann has said. Thousands of refugees making their way towards Germany and Austria from Hungary will be allowed to enter those two countries, the Austrian chancellor, Werner Faymann, has said.
About 1,200 people are walking westwards through Hungary, while many more were still at Budapest’s main railway terminus. But late on Friday, Hungarian authorities announced they would put buses on to take the refugees to the Austrian border. About 1,200 people were walking westwards through Hungary early on Friday evening, while many more were still at Budapest’s main railway terminus. Later, however, Hungarian authorities announced they would put buses on to take the refugees to the Austrian border.
Reports on the ground showed videos of hundreds leaving central Budapest in a long queue of vehicles. After initial confusion – then suspicion at where they were being taken – the refugees boarded the buses.Reports on the ground showed videos of hundreds leaving central Budapest in a long queue of vehicles. After initial confusion – then suspicion at where they were being taken – the refugees boarded the buses.
Many smiled, bidding goodbye to Hungarian volunteers who had brought food and water in recent days. Several thousand people had been left camped in front of a central railway station after authorities cancelled all trains heading to Austria and Germany.Many smiled, bidding goodbye to Hungarian volunteers who had brought food and water in recent days. Several thousand people had been left camped in front of a central railway station after authorities cancelled all trains heading to Austria and Germany.
“Because of today’s emergency situation on the Hungarian border, Austria and Germany agree in this case to a continuation of the refugees’ journey into their countries,” wrote Feymann in a Facebook post.“Because of today’s emergency situation on the Hungarian border, Austria and Germany agree in this case to a continuation of the refugees’ journey into their countries,” wrote Feymann in a Facebook post.
He added that Hungary was still expected to meet its obligations to accept the return of people who have sought asylum there, before crossing into another country. But he indicated Austria’s willingness to take a greater share of the burden of accommodating the refugees.He added that Hungary was still expected to meet its obligations to accept the return of people who have sought asylum there, before crossing into another country. But he indicated Austria’s willingness to take a greater share of the burden of accommodating the refugees.
The Austrian Red Cross said it expected between 800 and 1,500 refugees to arrive at a reception centre at the country’s border with Hungary in the early hours of Saturday.The Austrian Red Cross said it expected between 800 and 1,500 refugees to arrive at a reception centre at the country’s border with Hungary in the early hours of Saturday.
“We are getting beds, shelter, food and hot drinks ready for them, and there will also be medical care available if needed,” said spokesman Thomas Horvath.“We are getting beds, shelter, food and hot drinks ready for them, and there will also be medical care available if needed,” said spokesman Thomas Horvath.
German chancellor Angela Merkel said they could cope with a record-breaking influx of people this year without raising taxes. As the buses get ready to leave Keleti for Austria, Mohammad who fled Isis in Mosul makes a heart with his hands pic.twitter.com/uSjv1Rxc3O
But the chancellor repeated her call that the refugees should be distributed more equally across the EU member states, as part of a common strategy to cope with Europe’s unprecedented migration crisis. "Thank you! Thank you"! They shout as buses drive past pic.twitter.com/l3NfYmICap
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said they could cope with a record-breaking influx of people this year without raising taxes. But she repeated her call that the refugees should be distributed more equally across the EU member states, as part of a common strategy to cope with Europe’s unprecedented migration crisis.
“The whole system needs to be redesigned,” said Merkel, adding that tasks and burdens should be distributed more fairly.“The whole system needs to be redesigned,” said Merkel, adding that tasks and burdens should be distributed more fairly.
The country is the EU’s biggest recipient of refugees from the Middle East and economic migrants from south-eastern Europe.The country is the EU’s biggest recipient of refugees from the Middle East and economic migrants from south-eastern Europe.
A record 104,460 asylum seekers entered the country in August, and the country expects about 800,000 refugees and migrants this year – four times last year’s level.A record 104,460 asylum seekers entered the country in August, and the country expects about 800,000 refugees and migrants this year – four times last year’s level.
In light of the influx, the government plans to introduce a supplementary budget to free up funds for the refugees and to help towns in the frontline which are already struggling to pay for accommodation and fund medical care for the new arrivals.In light of the influx, the government plans to introduce a supplementary budget to free up funds for the refugees and to help towns in the frontline which are already struggling to pay for accommodation and fund medical care for the new arrivals.
“We won’t raise taxes. And we still have the goal of posting a balanced budget without taking on new debt,” Merkel told several local newspapers.“We won’t raise taxes. And we still have the goal of posting a balanced budget without taking on new debt,” Merkel told several local newspapers.
The leeway in the country’s budget that will allow it to spend an extra €5bn (£3.68bn) was created by higher than expected tax revenues and windfall gains from the sale of mobile phone frequencies, said officials.The leeway in the country’s budget that will allow it to spend an extra €5bn (£3.68bn) was created by higher than expected tax revenues and windfall gains from the sale of mobile phone frequencies, said officials.
Merkel’s coalition is expected to agree on a series of measures on Sunday, including cutting red tape to facilitate the construction of new asylum shelters, speeding up asylum procedures and increasing funds for federal states and towns.Merkel’s coalition is expected to agree on a series of measures on Sunday, including cutting red tape to facilitate the construction of new asylum shelters, speeding up asylum procedures and increasing funds for federal states and towns.