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Refugee crisis in Europe

Europe in difficult position due to poor protection of outer boundaries — German official

If the German government fails to cut refugee flows, the authorities will face a lawsuit at the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany

© EPA/FRANK RUMPENHORST

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BERLIN, February 3. /TASS/. Europe has found itself in a difficult position in the wake of the migration crisis, as it does not guard its outer borders and does not display solidarity in what concerns the distribution of arriving refugees, Bavarian Minister-President Horst Seehofer said ahead of his working trip to Moscow.

"Europe has found itself in an unstable situation because of the policies towards refugees," he said, adding that far from all the 28 member-states of the EU recognized the current patterns of distribution of the refugees.

In addition to it, "most countries don't observe important agreements like the ones pertaining to the protection of outer borders," Seehofer said. "On the whole, some countries are acting with hindsight, like nation states, not members of the EU, but they can't continue doing it over the long term."

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European tolerance is undergoing viability test

Bavaria to sue Merkel’s government in court if it fails to cut refugee flows

According to the official, the German government is obliged to cut refugee flows under the German constitution. If it fails, the authorities will face a lawsuit at the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany.

He said that a letter with a call to restrict migration had earlier been sent to Chancellor Angela Merkel from Munich in hope to exert influence on the German head of state.

Refugee crisis in Europe

"If no, then a lawsuit will come next. The state is constitutionally obliged to restrict the uncontrollable influx of refugees to the federal lands," the German politician said.

About 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany in 2015. Merkel has repeatedly turned down Seehofer’s demand to limit the number of refugees. She said that all the migrants, irrespective of the number, should get asylum if they are legally entitled to it. This is exactly what is prescribed by the constitution. The country’s fundamental law will have to be changed to impose such limits. The government, however, agrees with the need to reduce the migrant flow by using other means.

Earlier, Udo Di Fabio, a former judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, concluded that Berlin was violating constitutional norms by allowing unlimited numbers of refugees to enter the country. According to him, the best thing under the current circumstances would be to shut the borders legally and restrict the number of migrants.

Joint response to global challenges impossible without Russia

Seehofer said the global community currently has to address such tasks as the migration crisis and counteraction to terrorism.

"I am convinced that these challenges require joint action. And without Russia this is impossible. We would like Russia to make a constructive contribution and hope to get specific signals on its readiness for cooperation," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s partner in the ruling coalition.

The minister also pointed out Russia's role in coping with modern challenges.

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine