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Merkel Urges Nation to Consider Migrant Arrivals as Beneficial Opportunity

© AP Photo / Michael SohnGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel - Sputnik International
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the nation in her annual New Year's address to consider refugees arriving in the country as an "opportunity," which would benefit the country both economically and socially.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The German Chancellor called for unity and hospitality in response to the refugee crisis. "It goes without saying that we help them and comfort people who seek refuge with us," she said in a televised address, as quoted by local media.

Merkel recalled that Germany is capable of accepting refugees, and "can do it" as a strong country that has survived even more difficult challenges.

Asylum seeker (C, L) takes a selfie picture with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C, R) following Merkel's visit at a branch of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and a camp for asylum-seekers in Berlin on September 10, 2015 - Sputnik International
Feeling the Pinch: Germany to Fork Out €17 Billion on Migrants in 2016
In her speech, the Chancellor thanked volunteers and full-time workers "for their warmth and their commitment" when working with asylum seekers.

Europe is currently struggling to cope with a massive refugee influx, with hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants fleeing conflict-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa in search of safety and refuge in Europe.

Many of them strive to get to wealthier EU states, such as Germany, for the sake of social benefits, free education and good quality services.

According to the budget review, the German government expects to spend 16.52 billion euros ($18.1 billion) on refugee-related programs in 2016.

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