Germany will continue to perform the humanitarian task of welcoming refugees. Nevertheless, the forces of only some countries must not be overstretched. The Presidents therefore speak out in favour of a “consistent return of rejected asylum seekers.” The ongoing inflow of refugees also needs to decrease. To this end, Kramer, Grillo and Wollseifer support efforts for “effective control of the EU’s borders, the fight against the causes of flight, bilateral agreements with the most important transit countries, in particular Turkey, and financial support for States in the regions from which a very large majority of refugees are fleeing.”

The joint statement also sets out proposals for rapid and consistent integration in training and work. Among other things, the Presidents call for asylum seekers and tolerated residents with good prospects of being allowed to stay in Germany to be given training courses, a national training residence permit which is uniform and dependable from the outset as well as access to all vocational education capacities.