German Minister: Closing Our Borders Will Not Solve the Refugee Crisis

Closing Germany's borders will not solve the refugee crisis in the country, said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as Chancellor Angela Merkel struggles to quell a rebellion in her coalition against the open-door policy, reports the Patria news agency.

"I guarantee you that (the solution to the crisis) will not be achieved by closing the border," Steinmeier told foreign journalists, commenting on Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt's statement that closing the borders is inevitable.

Steinmeier added that a long-term solution can only be achieved through the implementation of a refugee resettlement program across the European Union, joint efforts to secure the EU's external borders, and fulfilling the promise of 3 billion euros in aid to Turkey.

His statement came after Dobrindt told the Bavarian daily Muenchner Merkur that Germany can no longer show a "friendly face" to the world and that if the number of new refugees is not reduced in the near future, Germany will not be able to avoid closing its borders. 

Directly asked whether this measure will be taken, Steinmeier said that Germany will have to wait for the outcome of Austrian consultations on border policy before making a decision.

"We must hear what the Austrians will do," he said, writes Index.