WEF Davos 2016 LIVE: “No other problem has jeopardised the EU as much as the refugee question” Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, cries out from Davos

Migration crisis is one of the most important issues in Europe currently and Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum invited yesterday Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to speak about this heartrending problem since the German Chancellor is not attending the WEF this year. The plenary session which was named “Hoping for prosperity: Reflections on Fight and Migration to Europe” took place yesterday at the Congress Hall in Davos. WEF reports migration as major concern The President of the Federal Republic of Germany started his speech by underscoring the importance of migration crisis and that it was well reported by WEF as a huge risk. It is going to be a test for Europe that has to deal with. After making a historical recursion of refugee flows, Joachim Gauck said that 60 million people are fleeing in danger of their life. “Migration is not a new phenomenon but it has been connected with hope, the hope of a new, of a better , of a secure life.” the President of the Federal Republic of Germany stressed out. Migration’s benefits Countries can be benefited by refugees who are coming to provide creativity. Germany has strengthened its economy by the guest workers who came to the country during the last 25 years. Hence, Germany and the rest EU members must help the migrants integrate and grow. It is a humanitarian responsibility of the EU people to receive asylum seekers who are trying to escape war conditions. Joachim Gauck also cried out that: “people who need our protection are allowed to cost us something”. Migration limits in Germany and EU A new strategy is promoted by the biggest European economy. As mentioned by the German Chancellor not a long time ago, Germany has shifted its policy regarding migration crisis. The government today is not just yet willing to accept the great amount of refugees once promised and showing their humanitarianism and that they truly are the No1 economy in Europe. The problem was also addressed by Wolfgang Schäuble, German Finance Minister, who mentioned that a European fuel tax may be necessary in order to secure the funds to provide migrants a better life within the EU. It is clear that they are not thinking of how this will affect the poor European countries but all Mr Schäuble thinks is that Germany should remain strong and secure its citizens from the huge refugee flows that are coming by thousands. Germany’s solutions to migration crisis The solution of Germany is now targeted in finding ways to deal with this crisis outside Europe. The latter clearly means to find a solution in Syria either politically or militarily. The President of the Federal Republic of Germany when asked by the Founder of WEF “What can we do to prevent these massive flows of refugees coming to Germany”, mentioned the following: “If we are to show solidarity, we need to increase our efforts beyond our borders and provide aid around Syria and Iraq (e.g. Turkey) so as to improve people’s life. Creating free trade zones where people come together, work, produce camp refugees and have better conditions to export their products in Europe and like this help them improve their lives. We need to step up efforts in case that we will not be able to find a political or military solution in order to end the war. UN must fight ISIS to bring peace to Iraq and Syria but UN cannot do more than they are doing in the moment and not a robust mandate is given to the UN.” Clearly the words of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany show that they are voting in favor of a military intervention in Syria in order to bring back peace in the region and solve once and for all one of the biggest problems that Europe has ever faced in history. Furthermore, during last evening’s interactive session called “From migration to integration” Sigmar Gabriel, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany, made clear that the majority of the EU counties cannot come to an EU solution for dealing with migration. Thus, he analysed three pillars that could address this issue once and for all. Firstly, invest in the living conditions of refugees in places such as Libanon, Turkey, Jordan is catalytic. Protecting the borders of Europe and making an agreement with Turkey consists the second pillar of what the German government’s officials have in mind. Thirdly, the Vice – Chancellor of Germany stated the need for the creation of a coalition which can come to bigger migrant quotas received by each and every EU member state compared to the ones currently exist. External borders’ protection Another issue that was put on the table is the external border protection which must be managed. “The freedom of movement can only be guaranteed in the Schengen area if external borders exist”, Joachim Gauck underlined during his speech. Germany is not ruling out that the country will impose security checks in its borders if the EU borders are not secure. “No other problem has divided and jeopardized the European Union as must as the refugee question.”, he highlighted. The quota system is not been seen to be working in the EU because the member countries are not willing to receive refugees and integrate them into their communities. All in all, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany expressed Germany’s will to solve the migration issue outside Europe with either political or military means or by helping the neighbouring countries integrate the refugees and leave them out of the Old Continent. Last but not least, his intense worries were expressed about the consequences of migration crisis and whether it is enough to put the EU project at serious defaulting risk. Stay tuned from 20 to 23 January as the Sting will be once more producing top class critical LIVE media coverage from the Congress Centre in Davos, Switzerland.  Join the Hive!