Refugee crisis ‘inevitable’ without precautions in Iran, Afghanistan, Erdoğan tells Merkel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday held a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Afghanistan, warning of an “inevitable’’ refugee crisis in the absence of precautions in the war-torn country and Iran, TRT network reported.

The two leaders agreed that the highest priority was the evacuation of those in need from Afghanistan as they exchanged views over the latest situation in the war-torn country, it said.

"Turkey cannot shoulder an Afghanistan based migrant influx,’’ it cited Erdoğan as tellingMerkel, while pointing out that Turkey is already home to four million refugees.

Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last week has sparked fears of a possible humanitarian crisis that could see large numbers of people attempt to flee the country, particularly through Turkey, which has served as a gateway for migrants looking toenter Europe.

Turkey, which has seen a migrant influx from Afghanistan amid the rapid Taliban advance in recent weeks, is presently building a 243-kilometre concrete wall along its 534-kilometre border with Iran to reduce unauthorized crossings by migrants. 

Important roles fall on the shoulders of Europe to prevent the irregular migration of Afghans from turning into a crisis, Erdoğan told Merkel.