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Friedrich Merz
Photo: Rolf Vennenbernd / dpa
Friedrich Merz
,
candidate for the CDU chairmanship, does not believe in a European solution for the distribution of refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos.
"If I see it correctly, Greece has not yet asked to accept refugees from Lesbos in the European Union and distribute them to individual countries," said Merz.
"Apart from Luxembourg and Germany, no other EU member state is ready to do this at the moment anyway."
According to Merz, it therefore makes no sense to continue looking for a "European solution" for distribution, nor to enter into a competition in Germany to determine "how many migrants we should take in."
The pictures from 2015 are still in memory and also the sentence "that this situation must not repeat itself," said the former Union parliamentary group leader, who was the first to position himself on the subject.
Accommodation on decommissioned cruise ships
Merz argued that he saw "two ways of solving the problem: Firstly, we are helping the Greeks with all the means we have to accommodate the refugees there in a humane manner."
In addition, Germany has, with the Red Cross and the Technical Relief Organization (THW), well-trained and equipped aid organizations.
In addition, one should approach with Greece "the option already discussed in the European Parliament of using decommissioned cruise ships for temporary accommodation at the external borders of the EU."
These ships could then also be used to carry out asylum procedures.
Middelberg calls for European "lock step"
The CDU domestic politician Mathias Middelberg, however, spoke out in favor of a coordinated European approach.
There had to be a lock step in which as many EU states as possible would lead the way.
"You can do it like this, but Germany cannot do it alone."
They are now trying "to forge a coalition of the willing" to the best of their ability.
This has already worked with several states with the obligation to accept 400 unaccompanied minors and also works for sea rescue.
"We're not waiting for Viktor Orbán, but we have to see that we get some on board who really want to participate."
However, he spoke out against Germany going alone to take in migrants from Greece.
"If we as Germans go it alone, then we really send the wrong signal in every respect," said Middelberg in the ARD "Morgenmagazin".
It is the wrong signal in the direction of the refugees, as more might then come.
It is also the wrong signal to Europe, "because then the other Europeans are more likely to lean back."
Everyone in the Union is about helping, said Middelberg.
Aid supplies have already been sent to Greece.
Now the question is who should be included.
"I am of the opinion, as the Chancellor also says, that this must be based on a criterion of the neediness, the vulnerability of these people," said the domestic policy spokesman.
Therefore, minors and families are the focus.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) had previously promised German support if a new reception center was to be set up on the island of Lesbos after the fire in the Moria refugee camp.
A new reception center under Greek and EU administration would be a pilot project to think about.
So the sovereign rights would initially rest with Greece.
The Chancellor said on Monday that there had to be a treaty that would allow European trade there.
"I think this is a really important step on the way to a stronger Europeanization of migration policy."
After a major fire in the Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, over 12,000 refugees and migrants are without accommodation.
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