Thousands of people have flocked to Kabul airport in an effort to flee the country, but they have been stranded there with no route out.
NEW DELHI — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged other European nations to take responsibility for Afghans escaping the Taliban, claiming that Ankara is under no duty to serve as a ‘European refugee warehouse.’
His comments come as Afghans strive to flee the Taliban-controlled nation.
Thousands of people have come to Kabul airport in an attempt to leave, but they have been stuck with no way out.
Erdogan was cited by CNN as saying that Europe, which has become a magnet for millions of migrants, will not be able to avoid this problem by simply closing its borders to safeguard its inhabitants’ wellbeing.
Europe, according to Turkish President, is turning its back on human principles with this mentality.
‘Afghanistan accounts for half of irregular migrants to Turkey’
Erdogan claimed Afghanistan accounts for about half of the “irregular” migrants Turkey has recorded in the previous three years.
According to Erdogan, Turkey is home to roughly 5 million foreign nationals, including 3.6 million Syrians and 300,000 Afghans.
Refugee crises looming large after Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe must devise a “robust” response to rising Afghan migratory flows.
Macron warned that the destabilization of Afghanistan also risks leading to irregular migrant flows towards Europe in a pre-recorded television address on Monday evening.
Mr Macron added that Europe must foresee and defend itself from massive irregular migratory flows that imperil people who utilize and support all types of trafficking.
Several international organizations have asked nations to act immediately to protect individuals in Afghanistan who are at risk, including expediting visas, providing emergency evacuation, offering resettlement, and halting all deportations to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a number of European nations have stated that they will not accept Afghan refugees.
Even Greek immigration minister Notis Mitarachi told a local television station on Monday that it is made clear that the nation will not be a conduit for a fresh surge of refugees.
However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned in a private government meeting, reported in the local media, that her nation may have to evacuate up to 10,000 individuals, including local workers and activists as well as those who are at risk of Taliban retaliation.
Since 2018, Afghans have filed the second-highest number of asylum claims in the EU, only behind Syrians, according to Al Jazeera.