Government statement: Scholz: Asylum compromise relieves Germany

government statement
Scholz: Asylum compromise relieves Germany

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has defended the European plans for asylum procedures at the EU’s external borders in the Bundestag against criticism from his own traffic light coalition. “This is a historic agreement because it shows that the EU can overcome its differences even on the most controversial issues,” said the SPD politician in a government statement at the EU summit next week. “Germany will also be relieved by such a new and fair system, because so far we have been the main target for largely uncontrolled internal migration within the Schengen area.”

At the beginning of June, the EU states voted in favor of comprehensive reform plans. Asylum applications from migrants who come from countries of origin with a recognition rate of less than 20 percent are to be examined within twelve weeks at the EU’s external borders. During this time, they want to oblige those seeking protection to stay in strictly controlled reception facilities. Those who have no chance of asylum should be sent back immediately. The Greens in particular, but also the SPD, have criticized the compromise.

Haßelmann for changes to asylum reform plans

Green party leader Britta Haßelmann campaigned again for changes. “The fact that 23 out of 27 countries have not agreed to take children out of border procedures so far is unacceptable,” she said. It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure improvements.

AfD boss Alice Weidel criticized that the federal government “continues to send invitation signals to move into the social systems”. Effective border controls in Germany would be prevented. FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr, on the other hand, emphasized the need for immigration into the German labor market. “Migration policy is of central importance, also of economic importance, and central to the question of competitiveness,” he said.

Merz: Traffic light dispute harms the EU

Union faction leader Friedrich Merz accused the traffic light government of slowing down the further development of a common EU foreign policy with ongoing disputes. “We could be much further in Europe if the Federal Republic of Germany, its federal government, took a more united stance in Europe,” criticized the CDU leader. If the federal government is constantly arguing about domestic, foreign and European policy issues, “this quarrel is also transferred to the European Union”. After all, Germany is “the geostrategically most important country in the middle of Europe”.

Appeal to Erdogan: Clear the way for Sweden to join NATO

In his speech, the chancellor also referred to the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11 and 12 and insisted that Sweden join the alliance quickly, which Turkey continues to block. He was “firmly convinced that alongside Finland, Sweden should also be a new ally at the summit table,” said Scholz. He is appealing to the re-elected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to clear the way for this now – as was jointly decided at the NATO summit in Madrid last year.

Before the impact of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Sweden, like Finland, applied for NATO membership in May 2022. Finland has been a member since the beginning of April, while Sweden still lacks the approval of Turkey and Hungary. Erdogan recently accused Sweden of not taking decisive action against “terrorist organizations”. Sweden had tightened its terrorism laws, and the country’s Supreme Court then approved the first extradition of a PKK supporter to Turkey.

Focus aid to Ukraine on strengthening combat capability

Scholz also reiterated that Ukraine’s NATO membership is out of the question before Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine ends. The Ukrainian government has also stated this itself. “That’s why I’m advocating that in Vilnius we concentrate on what now has absolute priority: namely, strengthening Ukraine’s actual combat capability.”

The summit will focus on how Ukraine can be brought closer to NATO and what security guarantees can be given after the war is over. However, the formal invitation to NATO desired by Ukraine will probably not come about.

The Chancellor again pledged support to Ukraine as long as it is needed. He pointed out that Germany’s civil and military aid now totals 16.8 billion euros. Germany will continue to focus on armored combat vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, artillery and the necessary ammunition when it comes to arms deliveries. Germany is thus providing exactly what Ukraine most urgently needs in the ongoing offensive to liberate its territories.

Left demand peace initiative

Left faction leader Dietmar Bartsch asked von Scholz to present a peace initiative for Ukraine at the EU summit next week in Brussels. The aggressor in the Russian war of aggression is President Vladimir Putin. But the approach of holding no negotiations until the last Russian has left Ukraine threatens to prolong the war for years, with tens of thousands of victims and incalculable risks.

dpa