Germany: We Will Continue to Receive Migrants from Italy

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that "Berlin has decided to continue receiving migrants and refugees arriving in Italy, following two days after announcing the suspension of a voluntary agreement with Rome to receive new arrivals." In an interview with ARD, Faeser said, "Rome does not respect its obligations under the so-called Dublin rules, which fall within the framework of the European Union and govern the handling of asylum requests in the EU member state upon first arrival." She added, "The arrival of thousands of migrants recently on the small Italian island of Lampedusa means that Germany will, in the end, receive some of them." Faeser explained, "The reason for our suspension of the process... is that Italy has shown no willingness whatsoever to take back individuals under the Dublin protocol. Now it is clear, of course, that we will fulfill the commitment we made to solidarity." Under a solidarity program within the European Union, Germany pledged to assist member states, such as Italy, that are overwhelmed with migrants by receiving 3,500 of them, but it announced the suspension of the agreement on Wednesday.