Luxembourg blames Austria for refugee crisis in Europe

BERLIN

Luxembourg's foreign minister on Friday blamed Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz for the refugee crisis in Europe.

“Unless Europe can find a way out of the refugee crisis, it will continue to be sick. Sebastian Kurz is to blame for me. He's responsible for this mess first,” said Jean Asselborn in an interview with German Der Spiegel.

Asselborn said he made a proposal for the accommodation of unaccompanied children from the Moria Camp on Greek island Lesbos and other camps in EU member states.

"When I brought the proposal, the Austrian representative said that they would not accept them, instead they would send containers to the island,” he said.

Asselborn said there will be nothing left to do if the EU does not act now adding the bloc should hold itself responsible for the asylum seekers on its doorstep.

He also said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should make an effort so that EU member states also show solidarity.

* Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak