We are classifying Georgia and Moldova as safe countries of origin. Both want to become members of the European Union, as such it isn’t plausible to assume systemic oppression in those countries, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview with the Spiegel, in which he spoke about the new immigration measures.

When asked whether Germany should pay more attention to who coming into the country and who is allowed to stay, the German chancellor noted:

Scholz: We have been doing that for a long time. But we will now be differentiating even more precisely. On the one hand, there is the immigration of workers that we need. And there are those who are seeking asylum because they are the targets of political oppression. On the other hand, though, that means that all those who don’t belong to one of those groups cannot stay. That is why we are limiting irregular migration to Germany. Too many people are coming.

DER SPIEGEL: How do you intend to lower the number?

Scholz: Through an entire package of measures. We are classifying Georgia and Moldova as safe countries of origin. Both want to become members of the European Union, as such it isn’t plausible to assume systemic oppression in those countries. We are strengthening the protection of Europe’s external borders so that fewer people are able to make their way to Europe. And we have agreed on a new solidarity mechanism in the EU: Refugees are to be registered in their first country of entry instead of merely being waved through to Germany. In return, they will be fairly distributed throughout Europe. The European Parliament will hopefully approve this mechanism in the coming months.