Hajer M'tırı
September 16, 2015•Update: September 16, 2015
PARIS
EU nations refusing to take their fair share of refugees was “unacceptable”, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Wednesday.
He warned that France would “not hesitate” to reimpose border controls if EU members such as Hungary and Slovakia do not agree to take in migrants under a quota system to relieve pressure on “frontline” states Greece and Italy.
A number of states - notably Germany and Austria - have already introduced measures to tighten their borders as Europe’s Schengen border-free zone faces unprecedented pressure.
Addressing lawmakers, Valls warned those eastern and central European countries unwilling to take their share of 120,000 migrants that “solidarity works both ways”.
On Monday night, an emergency meeting of EU ministers failed to agree to distribute the 120,000 refugees according to a quota system.
He added: “Several countries, however, refused today to play the game. This is unacceptable. These countries also forget their own history and the men and women we welcomed in France when they themselves fled dictatorship and communist persecution.”
The premier warned the “European project will collapse” unless each country takes its share depending on its capabilities.
France has already announced it will accept 24,000 refugees and Valls said more than 600 million euros ($677 million) had been allocated to these refugees.
He also announced the creation of 900 extra jobs, particularly in the border police, to fight illegal immigration.
Referring to France’s borders, Valls said temporary controls on the Italian border were restored months ago and “we won't hesitate to do it again as the rules of Schengen allow when circumstances require it.”
