Sensitive to the growing misgivings among many Germans about how their country can cope with the sheer number of migrants, the government recently agreed on measures to quickly process those who stand little chance of getting asylum, vetting more people at the border, and distributing migrants across Europe.
Advertisement
But with a divided Europe grappling with trying to find a solution, Dr Merkel indicated that European situation was different to elsewhere.
Critics say her accommodating message in August that “we can do this” – responding to wrenching scenes of refugees faced with border closures and popular hostility in trying to enter a few European Union states – have spurred migrants to pour into Germany in ever larger numbers, overwhelming the resources of local authorities.
The Berlin meeting comes ahead of both leaders attending the G20 summit in the Turkish resort city of Antalya starting this weekend.
Asked about reports that at least one of the attackers in Paris came from Syria, De Maiziere said French authorities were still investigating and it was up to them to inform the public.
In response, Mrs Merkel, widely regarded as the pre-eminent leader in Europe, also backed a political solution.
Mr Turnbull addresses the media with Ms Merkel following talks at the Chancellery.
The recommendations suggest closer ties across the spectrum, ranging for trade and investment, science, national and strategic security, the arts, education, culture, energy and politics.
Turnbull said a few of the key recommendations on research commercialisation would feed into the government’s innovation statement, due next month.
On the eve of Mr Turnbull’s arrival, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and his German counterpart, Wolfgang Schauble, announced a new tax treaty to remove a few of the impediments to business.
Key recommendations include a commitment of German support for negotiations towards an EU-Australia free trade agreement and annual “2+2” strategic dialogue between Australia and Germany, and the conclusion of a double taxation treaty.
The pair also discussed military vehicles.
“It is clear there are a lot of discussions over this issue”, he told the talk show. Japan has said it is ready to match its European rivals and build a fleet of submarines for Canberra entirely at Australian shipyards. Merkel and members of her government have been branded “race traitors”, and death threats – in the form of gallows bearing her name – were paraded during anti-immigrant demonstrations.
Advertisement
“This is a key condition that today was put under a giant question mark in all of Europe”, Szymanski said.
