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Refugee quotas possible even without support of all EU states: Austrian chancellor

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann said Wednesday the European Union (EU) could implement mandatory intake quotas for refugees even without the participation of all EU member states.

In an interview with radio program Oe1 Morgenjournal, Faymann said it could be possible to "make a coalition of the willing."

He said those who would not join however still had their responsibilities and should not be told "it is all voluntary."

He renewed earlier criticism at the attitude of the Central and Eastern European states that opposed to the quotas in light of the crisis.

"We pay money into assistance funds, from which many of them benefit. They should now assist," he said.

Following a meeting with German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday, where both called for a special EU summit on the refugee crisis, he said a speedy solution would likely not be found, and "multiple sessions" for EU meetings needed.

The chancellor emphasized that Austria, Germany, and Sweden could not tackle the crisis alone. Endit