Merkel: ‘Germany doing what is morally and legally required’

Merkel responded, saying: “Germany is doing what is morally and legally required of it. No more, no less". She added that "this is a problem that concerns us all". The German chancellor added that she has made progress with France in an effort to build a coalition in favor of distributing Syrians. Orbán, on the other hand, defended the controversial, new 175-kilometre razor-wire fence erected last month on the Hungarian-Serbian border, saying Hungary was protecting the EUʼs external borders.

Meanwhile in Bicske, northwestern Hungary, police and interpreters urged refugees and migrants to disembark from a train bound for the western town of Sopron and to board 20 buses waiting to take them to a nearby camp. But many were promptly returned to the station platform, the report said. Another train leaving the re-opened Budapest Keleti train station bound for the western border also stopped at Bicske and did not continue further. Orbán said he was complying with EU rules by not allowing anyone to travel on without first registering, adding that Merkel and her Austrian counterpart, Werner Faymann, had insisted on this measure.

EU President Donald Tusk called on countries in the EU to show solidarity, while French President Francois Hollande spoke about the EU member states’ obligation to refugees. The Hungarian Parliament, however, is set to pass a package of laws within the coming days that would introduce harsh sentences for people smugglers crossing the border.