Norway’s government promised another billion kroner (USD 131 million) on Thursday in aid to Syrian refugee camps, while it continued to face a majority in opposition that wants to accept 10,000 more Syrian refugees. Prime Minister Erna Solberg claims that’s “unrealistic.”
While agreeing that a “human tragedy of dramatic dimensions” was unfolding in the Mediterranean, Solberg of the Conservatives remains opposed to other political parties’ pleas to accept 10,000 more refugees into Norway. Around 6,000 refugees already in Norway still await resettlement around the country, and neither Solberg nor her government coalition partner, the Progress Party, think the country can absorb 10,000 more by the end of next year.
Instead, argues Solberg, it’s more effective to help Syrian refugees where they are. She also said her government would send another ship to the Mediterranean to help rescue those who set off in rickety boats in the hopes of starting new lives in Europe.
She noted that Norway “is already one of the biggest donors to aid the Syrian crisis. Only Kuwait is giving more.”
newsinenglish.no staff
