APD | Germany ready to accept 25 percent of migrants arrive in Italy by sea

By APD writer Aditya Nugraha

**BERLIN, Sept. 14 (APD) ** - Germany Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the nation is prepared to accept 25 percent of migrants arriving in Italy by boats in a goodwill gesture prior to European Union (EU) talks on immigration scheduled later this month.

"If all that has been agreed stands, we would be able to take in 25% of people rescued at sea and who end up in Italy. This will not overwhelm our migration policy," the German minister said on Friday.

EU talks on immigration are slated for September 23 in Malta was planned to seek EU members’ agreement on the distribution of migrants rescued by boats from the Mediterranean Sea.

Seehofer said that Germany has a different view. "I have always said that our immigration policy is humane. We will let no one drown," he said.

Italy’s former interior minister Matteo Salvini has closed Italian ports from migrants rescued by boats from the Mediterranean.

The new Italian government that took office last week has suggested a softer policy on the immigration issue. Italy has reached an agreement with EU countries in the distribution of migrants among them.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)