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Closing borders will not solve refugee crisis - German Foreign Minister

by Reuters
Tuesday, 19 January 2016 10:09 GMT

Migrant children wait for the arrival of a volunteer dressed as Father Christmas prior to a Christmas gathering at the former US army barracks used as a refugee camp in Hanau, Germany, December 24, 2015. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

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German Foreign Minister says essential to address Syria conflict and work with Syria's neighbours to manage refugee flow

BERLIN, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Closing borders will not solve Europe's refugee crisis, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday.

"The solution...does not lie with closing borders," Steinmeier told reporters in response to a question about a suggestion by Germany's transport minister that Germany should prepare to shut is borders.

Steinmeier added that it was essential to address the conflict in Syria, as well as working with Syria's neighbours to manage the refugee flow, while also setting up "hot spots" in Greece and Italy to handle those arriving in Europe. (Reporting by Paul Carrel and Joseph Nasr; Editing by Madeline Chambers)

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