Germany Says It Will Take In Refugees, Easing Burden on Greece - The New York Times

While it could prove politically unpopular, Angela Merkel’s government will accept more than 1,500 refugees now living in Greece.

BERLIN — Germany agreed on Tuesday to take in more than 1,500 refugees now living in Greece, in a challenge to other wealthy European countries that have been reluctant to help Greece resettle thousands of people left homeless after blazes last week destroyed Europe’s largest refugee camp.

The German government will allow 1,553 people from 408 families who have already been recognized as refugees by Greece to settle in Germany, Steffen Seibert, Ms.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has dramatically hardened Greek policy toward undocumented migrants, welcomed the move, but warned that it should “in no way be seen as rewarding those who attempt to enter the country illegally,” according to a member of government who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the statement was not officially issued by the prime minster’s office.

“Rather,” the statement said, “it brings back to the European debate the issue of the relocation of refugees and of providing relief for countries of first entry ahead of the proposals of the European Commission for a common agreement for migration and asylum to be presented next week.”.

Seibert said the German government remained “committed to a more far-reaching European solution with other welcoming member states.” Should an agreement be reached, he said, Germany “would also participate to an appropriate extent in accordance with the size of our country.”.

Horst Seehofer, the German interior minister who in 2017 forced the chancellor to set a limit on the number of migrants allowed to enter the country at a time when the anti-immigrant, far-right Alternative for Germany party was enjoying a surge in popularity, said that Berlin was still seeking support from within Europe.

“All European countries must mobilize their support for countries such as Greece that are on the front lines of the migration crisis,” Mr