German Chancellor expects Slovakia to act as "honest broker" on migrant issue

Ben Bassey 12:53 - 16 June 2016

Merkel says expects Slovakia to act as "honest broker" on migrant issue

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said in May that Slovakia's failure to admit its quota of 1,500 refugees under a European Union plan would hobble its ability to lead when it assumes the rotating EU presidency in July.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that she expected Slovakia to be an honest mediator on migrant issues when it takes over the European Union's rotating presidency in July.

"I have no doubt that when it comes to the agenda we have ahead of us - and that now means above all dealing with the Mediterranean route from Libya - that Slovakia will be an honest broker and that it will, with the presidency, unite the member states of the European Union," she said.