Rouhani urges Europe to do more for refugees

Iran leader’s call comes during meeting with Hungarian ambassador and is seen as indirect criticism of Budapest’s handling of crisis

By AP 6 September 2015, 4:16 pm

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Migrants and refugees walk trough a field towards the Hungarian border near the northern Serbian town of Horgos on August 27, 2015. (AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised European Union countries for helping the refugees streaming into the 28-nation bloc and urged others to step up their efforts.

The remarks, published on Rouhani’s website Sunday, came during a meeting with the new Hungarian ambassador in Tehran and were seen as indirect criticism of Budapest’s handling of the situation.

“We are happy that some European countries made positive efforts to help refugees and we hope other European countries that do not have this position compensate on shortcomings,” he said.

After days of chaos, Hungary opened its borders with Austria over the weekend, allowing thousands of refugees and migrants to travel westward.

Iran is a major patron of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose forces have been responsible for much of the violence that has driven more than 4 million Syrians to flee the country.