Page 9 - Aruba Today
P. 9
WORLD NEWS 9
Tuesday 16 February 2016
Anti-migrant force builds in Europe, hurting Merkel’s quest
VANESSA GERA From left: Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydlo, President of supports Bulgarian mem-
Associated Press Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister of Czech Republic Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of bership in the Schengen
PRAGUE (AP) — So where Bulgaria Boiko Borisov, and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, pose for a photograph during zone because “it is ca-
should the next impenetra- a Summit of the V4 Prime Ministers with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the President of Mace- pable of fully protecting its
ble razor-wire border fence donia in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. borders.” He also called for
in Europe be built? opening “sensible talks” on
Hungary’s right-wing Prime (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Macedonia’s EU member-
Minister Viktor Orban thinks ship. Ivanov said Macedo-
he knows the best place Merkel, who wants to reset- within the EU,” said Vit Dos- northern border. Macedo- nia was ready for any sce-
— on Macedonia’s and tle newcomers across the tal, an analyst with the As- nia began putting up a first nario, but added Greece
Bulgaria’s borders with continent while also slow- sociation for International fence in November, and should be part of any plan.
Greece — smack along ing down the influx. Affairs, a Prague-based is now constructing a sec- Borisov said Bulgaria “is
the main immigration route “The plan to build a new think tank. ond, parallel, fence. very interested in partici-
from the Middle East to “European defense line” At Monday’s meeting, After the meeting in pating in the protection of
Western Europe. He says along the border of Bul- leaders from the four na- Prague, Orban said his the EU’s external border.”
it’s necessary because garia and Macedonia tions were joined by Mace- country is ready to help “If it were up only to us
“Greece can’t defend with Greece is a major for- donian President Gjorge “those countries that are Central Europeans, that
Europe from the south” eign policy initiative for the Ivanov and Bulgarian Prime ready to create a second region would have been
against the large numbers Visegrad Four and an at- Minister Boiko Borisov so defensive line south of Hun- closed off long ago,” Or-
of refugees pouring in, tempt to re-establish itself they can push for the rein- gary.” ban said before at a news
mainly from Syria and Iraq. as a notable political force forcements along Greece’s He also said Hungary fully conference recently with
The plan is especially con- Poland’s prime minister.
troversial because it effec- “Not for the first time in his-
tively means eliminating tory we see that Europe is
Greece from the Schen- defenseless from the south
gen zone, Europe’s 26-na- ... that is where we must
tion passport-free travel re- ensure the safety of the
gion that is considered one continent.”
of the European Union’s Poland has indicated a
most cherished achieve- willingness to send dozens
ments. of police to Macedonia to
Orban’s plan featured secure the border, some-
prominently Monday at a thing to be decided at
meeting in Prague of lead- Monday’s meeting.
ers from four nations in an “If the EU is not active,
informal gathering known the Visegrad Four have to
as the Visegrad group: be,” Slovak Prime Minister
Hungary, Poland, the Robert Fico said recently.
Czech Republic and Slo- “We have to find effec-
vakia. The Visegrad group, tive ways of protecting the
formed 25 years ago to fur- border.”q
ther the nations’ European
integration, is marking that Iran reformists, moderates unite ahead of vote
anniversary Monday. Still, it
has only recently found a ALI AKBAR DAREINI ers and Rouhani allies have cluding 586 women - have the conservative vote was
common purpose in its uni- Associated Press agreed to release a joint list been approved to run for split between several can-
fied opposition to accept- TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian of candidates in order to Iran’s 290-seat parliament. didates. The conservatives
ing any significant number reformists seeking great- more effectively challenge Over 12,000 hopefuls had say they have learned from
of migrants. er democratic change hard-liners and conserva- initially registered for the that mistake and are seek-
This determination has and moderates support- tives, who remain split. election.The vote will large- ing a grand coalition with
emboldened the group, ing President Hassan Rou- He announced the move ly be a referendum on Rou- hard-liners. However, they
one of the new mini-blocs hani’s outreach to the West at a press conference, hani following last summer’s remain divided.
emerging lately in Europe have formed an alliance saying the bloc would be landmark nuclear deal, Many of the best-known
due to the continent’s to increase their chances called the “Alliance of Re- which curbed Iran’s atomic reformist candidates have
chaotic, inadequate re- ahead of Feb. 26 parlia- formists and Government activities in exchange for been barred from running
sponse to its largest migra- mentary elections, a promi- Supporters” and would in- the lifting of international by the Guardian Coun-
tion crisis since World War II. nent reformist candidate clude several female and sanctions. The historic deal cil, which is dominated by
The Visegrad group is also said Monday. young candidates. Around is expected to boost re- hard-liners. The council vets
becoming a force that Mohammad Reza Aref, a 60 percent of Iran’s popula- formists and moderates. candidates based on their
threatens the plans of Ger- former vice president, told tion is under the age of 30. In the 2013 presidential perceived loyalty to the rul-
man Chancellor Angela reporters that his support- Some 6,200 candidates - in- election won by Rouhani, ing system.q
