Finland Could Close Borders Amid Migration Crisis in EU

Finnish authorities do not rule out the possibility of closing its borders amid a flow of migrants trying to cross into the European Union, the country's Interior Minister Petteri Orpo said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – In recent months, Europe has seen an escalating refugee crisis, as hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, seeking refuge in the European Union.

The bloc must find a swift common solution, otherwise the enormous human migration will intensify, reaching beyond central and southern Europe, the minister said, quoted by Finnish broadcaster Yle.

Orpo emphasized that Finland will still take responsibility and accept refugees from hotspots if they are registered in the EU as being eligible for asylum.

On Saturday, hundreds of Finnish protesters demonstrated against an uncontrolled influx of refugees, assembling in the town of Torino at the Swedish-Finnish border. The same day, Finland began border checks for asylum seekers arriving from Sweden.

Earlier in September, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced plans to distribute some 160,000 refugees among EU member states, with compulsory acceptance quotas.

Finland has stated its opposition to the mandatory quota policy, but has agreed to host some 2,000 refugees.