Angela Merkel declares national task to provide help for immigrants

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS. German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared onSaturday that it was a national task toprovide help forthe 800,000 immigrants that are toarrive inGermany this year.

"We have always reacted promptly [to migrant issues] and are now discussing withstates and communities how we can help them [migrants] inthe long term – and how we can make the task ofsettling and integrating those immigrants who will stay withus a task ofnational importance," Merkel said ina video posted onthe government's website. “Armenpress” reports the aforementioned, referring to Sptunik International.

She admitted that the draft budget for2016 needed tobe reviewed inthe face ofincreased migrant-related expenses.

Earlier this year, Merkel pledged a billion euro ($1.1 billion) infederal support forimmigrants, butshe admitted Saturday this would not be enough. The German chancellor also urged every federal state topull its weight.

The country’s Interior Ministry estimates migrant costs in2016 at1.8 billion to3.3 billion euro ($2 billion to $3.7 billion).

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