Germany calls for more European support to Turkey as influx of migrants looms large

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BERLIN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- In view of the influx of migrants at the border between Greece and Turkey, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday called for a unanimous European answer and more support to Turkey.

According to a statement by the German Foreign Office, before leaving for an EU foreign ministers conference in Zagreb, Maas said it is important that Greece would not be left alone.

He stressed that the European Union (EU) must find a unanimous answer to the situation on the Turkish-Greek border.

"As always, the weakest pay the highest price for the current situation. That is why we have to use all our possibilities to help children, especially those who are vulnerable, quickly," said Maas.

Maas added that the EU must continue to provide financial support to Turkey's efforts to accept refugees and migrants. As Turkey is the largest receiving country of refugees worldwide, a fair burden-sharing is also in the EU's interest.

Maas set out Germany's expectations that Turkey should adhere to the 2016 EU-Turkey deal to accept refugees in Turkey in exchange for billions of Euros from Europe.

Maas' remarks came as tens of thousands of refugees are gathering on the Turkish side of the Turkey-Greece border, attempting to enter the EU member state.

The Turkish government decided last week to allow refugees to cross the Aegean Sea to Greece after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold.

Germany has pledged an additional 100 million euros to ensure the housing and care for people in need in Idlib, Mass said, though underscoring the "clear prerequisites": Humanitarian access and the protection of helpers and the population must be guaranteed. Enditem

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