Europe can no longer endure uncontrollable migration: Finnish President

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday Europe cannot endure uncontrollable migration much longer and called for solutions at the European level.

Addressing the annual opening of parliament in Helsinki, Niinisto said international regulations regarding refugees are no longer compatible with the current situation. He said that if the international norms and the respective national regulations were enacted now, they would be essentially tougher.

Niinisto said there are no good alternatives at present. "We must aim at a satisfactory balance that secures on one hand European values and order, and on the other hand helps those in danger of persecution," he said.

While those in danger or subject to persecution should be helped, "we cannot help those who seek for something better or feel their present situation or their future in their home country is difficult," said Niinisto.

Niinisto said exceeding the tolerance level would crush European values.

He called for realization of the facts at the European level. The EU should opt for a joint border control, and measures to slow down migration and to speed up repatriations, he said. "At some stage, someone has to admit that we are not able now to meet the requirements of international agreements," said Niinisto.

A total of 32,476 asylum seekers arrived in Finland in 2015, while the number was 3,651 in 2014. The Finnish government has said that only 40 percent would be able to stay and the rest would probably have to leave. Endit