German foreign minister urges end to migrant crisis recriminations

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged his EU partners Friday to stop squabbling and instead focus on how they can solve Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.

 

"We face difficult discussions and difficult decisions over several months," Steinmeier said as he arrived for an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

 

"We will not find (a solution) if we do not stop pointing the finger. Recriminations will not help to get the problem under control," he said.

 

He said that, compared with the tortuous efforts to reach the recent Greek debt accord, "the challenge which faces the EU now on migration and daily higher numbers of refugees, is several times bigger." 

 

"Only weeks ago we hoped to have some respite (after the Greek agreement) but that was an illusion."