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Friday 01 Jan 2016 - 14:34 Makkah mean time-21-3-1437
(Image from EPA)
Berlin, (IINA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on her new year’s address on Thursday that the most important issue confronting Germany in 2016 is the nation's "solidarity" in dealing with the refugee crisis, DPA reported.
"It is important that we not let ourselves be divided - not among generations, and not among those who have been here a long time and those who are new citizens", Merkel said.
The chancellor asked the people not to follow "those with coldness or even hate in their hearts, and claim the right to be called German for themselves alone while seeking to exclude others".
Germany's Office for Migration confirmed Thursday media reports that asylum seekers would have their cases reviewed individually starting in the new year, a return to practices that were halted at the end of 2014 amid a rush of asylum seekers.
No definite date has been set for when the more-stringent controls will go into effect. The focus will be on confirming the applicant's identity, so authorities can get a better overview of who is actually in Germany.
Merkel did not mention Pegida in her speech, the anti-Islam political movement that has drawn tens of thousands to the streets of Germany in mass rallies over the past year.
"This is a particularly challenging time in which we live", Merkel says. "But it is also true: We can do it, because Germany is a strong country", she continues, pointing out the nation's past success in dealing with the turmoil of reunification 25 years ago and its ability to integrate newcomers into German society.
Merkel also noted that countries on the receiving end of migration often benefit, both economically and socially. "Handled properly, today's great challenge of the migrant inflow and integration is tomorrow's opportunity".
AG/IINA
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