Germany wants to stem flow of refugees, says Bahrain envoy

Manama: Germany’s long-term goal is to stem the flow of refugees entering the country, while working on a final resolution to the civil war in Syria, said German Ambassador Alfred Simms-Protz.

He was speaking at the meeting of Rotary Club of Manama in Gulf Hotel here yesterday. On Germany’s stance on the Syrian refugee crisis, Simms-Protz stressed that politics could not always arrive at an ideal solution. “But Germany is doing all it can to ensure a peaceful and successful outcome for both refugees and German citizens alike.”

He urged for a new agreement between Turkey and the EU, which demands that any refugees arriving on Greek shores must be sent back to Turkey.

“Over 1.1 million refugees entered Germany in 2015, and with that, healthcare, accommodation and food were at a critical limit. Syrian refugees had been using the Balkan routes to enter Germany - a popular destination known for its leading economy, democratic society and better treatment of its citizens,” he added.