Germany’s interior minister calls for European conference on Syrian refugees

Germany’s Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich calls for organisation of a conference on the problem of Syrian refugees. “Any military action may cause growth of refugees,” he said in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel. “We should organise a European conference on the issue in order to find a solution.” First Syrian refugees, whom Germany has agreed to welcome, are expected to come to Hannover next week. The German authorities said they would receive 5,000 Syrians. Several German regional authorities said the number of refugees coming to the country should be higher. Meanwhile, Syrians have been entering Germany illegally since the conflict began. The Interior Ministry said over one thousand Syrians applied for shelter in Germany in August.