BERLIN (Sputnik) — Europe should step up efforts to achieve a political settlement of the Syrian crisis in order to reduce the influx of economic immigrants, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during a historic debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Speaking in Strasbourg, Merkel said Europe could not let economic migrants stay because otherwise it would not be able to support those who fled war and persecution in Syria.
"That is why we need a political process in Syria with participation of all regional and international powers, and a greater role played by Europe," the German leader said in an address to EU lawmakers.
German Chancellor Merkel and French President Francois Hollande made a joint appearance at a plenary debate in the European Parliament to speak on key challenges that Europe faces today. This was the first joint address by French and German leaders since 1989.
