Sep 08, 2015 09:40 AM EDT
EU: Germany, France, UK Announce To Take In Over 20,000 Refugees

Germany, France and the UK have pledged to take in thousands of migrants as response to the growing refugee crisis among Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis and others.

Mashable reports German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on all 28 EU countries to accommodate migrants from the Middle East, who have reached the shores of Austria after they were driven away from Hungary. A large number of these refugees then took trains from Austria to Germany.

"Germany is a country willing to take people in, but refugees can be received in all countries of the European Union in such a way that they can find refuge from civil war and from persecution," Merkel said adding the country will ensure protection to those who were able to get asylums.

According to The Telegraph, Germany announced to accept 31,000 refugees while French President Francois Hollande announced the country will take in 24,000. British Prime Minister David Cameron followed announcing the UK will welcome 20,000 Syrian refugees over five years.

"I've just got off the phone to Angela Merkel and she has welcomed the statement we are making today," Cameron said, adding it's important that "we show solidarity".

"We took this action because there was no alternative," he added. "I think 20,000 refugees is a generous and correct approach to take."

As German officials expect 800,000 migrants from Syria, Eritrea and Iraq to arrive by the last quarter, they have agreed on Monday to spend 6 Billion Euros over the next year to support housing projects, more federal police and German language classes. As stated by Merkel's deputy, economy minister Sigmar Gabriel, these migrants should be integrated into the German society to confront the fears of the native population.

"I say this quite openly, there will be conflicts," he said. "The more openly we talk about the fact that people are worried, that there's fear in the country and that there may be conflicts, will I think help us deal with this realistically and confront reality."

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