Berlin/Mainz (dpa) – Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) was, in his own words, “satisfied with the outcome” of the federal and state government refugee summits. The two sides will have to go some distance during consultations in Berlin on Wednesday to reach a common outcome. “The plight of those who have had to leave their homes, friends and family to flee war in Ukraine or Syria or flee persecution must be multifaceted,” Dreyer stressed, also looking at the increasing number of refugees. That’s why constructive cooperation between federal, state, and local governments is important.

The Berlin summit resolution indicated that the federal and state governments were suspending their fundamental decision on permanently higher federal funding for refugee costs. Hence, it must fall at the convocation in November. However, for 2023, the federal government is promising an additional one billion euros in lump-sum payments for refugees.

Dreyer emphasized that the municipality deserves the highest recognition for their achievements in hosting refugees. In recent years, federal, state, and local governments have paid large sums of money for proper admissions to those seeking protection. “The fact that the federal government has pledged an additional billion for this year is an important signal and a lot of support, especially for municipalities,” added Prime Minister Dreyer.

His state chancellor referred to other resolutions from the federal-state meeting in Berlin, such as the provision of federal real estate for refugees and the facilitation of building regulations and public procurement of refugee accommodation. In addition, the Chancellor of State listed: reducing illegal migration, for example with migration partnerships based on the cooperative model with India, as well as expanding voluntary readmission and return agreements for those without the right to stay.

Other measures agreed were “consistent deportation, securing borders, early screening of asylum at the EU’s external borders so that fewer people arrive directly in Germany without an asylum check”. Apart from that, it is about a better distribution of refugees in Europe and speeding up asylum procedures.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:230511-99-645248/2