Speaking at a university in the city of Gaziantep, Angela Merkel called for "zones where the ceasefire is particularly enforced and where a significant level of security can be guaranteed".
Keeping people displaced from their homes on the Syrian side of the border would help the 28-nation bloc and Turkey, which hosts 2.7 million Syrian refugees, stem the flow of refugees to European shores.
Merkel, who visited Nizip refugee camp near the Syria border along with senior EU leaders on Saturday, heaped praise on Turkey for its efforts at the camp.
"Our goal is not only to stop illegal migration, but for refugees to have more opportunities near their home," Merkel said.
The UN has warned against the safe-zone plan unless there was a way to guarantee the refugees' safety in the war-torn state. Aid workers have also opposed it....
[aljazeera.com]
24/4/16
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U.S. President Barack Obama rejected on Sunday the possibility of creating a safe zone in northern Syria, and dubs it "a practical issue" as it would require large military commitment...
ReplyDeleteObama delivered his comments in a news conference following a meeting in the German city of Hannover with Chancellor Angela Merkel, with whom he discussed issues such as the trade agreement between his country and the European Union, the current situation in Syria and Libya, the conflict in Ukraine and the differences with Russia as well as the refugee crisis.
"The issue surrounding a safe zone in Syrian territory is not a matter of an ideological objection on my part," Obama said.
"It's not a matter of me not wishing I could help and protect a whole bunch of people. It's a very practical issue about how do you do it?" he added.
The U.S. President stressed that he understands the reasons of those who have supported the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria, because approving this measure would provide greater security to the Syrian people.
On the other hand, Merkel expressed concern over the violations of the cessation of hostilities that took place in recent days....EFE