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OSLO, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Norway reported a year-on-year decrease of 98 percent in asylum applications last year, local newspaper VG reported on Monday.
Only 3,240 asylum seekers applied for asylum in Norway last year, VG reported, quoting the official EU statistical data.
"We could not live in situation with such a large and almost uncontrolled immigration. I think everyone agreed about this," Norway's Minister of Fisheries Per Sandberg told VG.
Sandberg is currently substituting for minister of immigration and integration Sylvi Listhaug, who is off on maternity leave.
He said the government will not open for quota refugees despite the massive decline.
According to Sandberg, the situation will be serious for both Norway and Europe if Turkey terminates the refugee agreement, something that can lead to flows of refugees to Europe.
The EU-Turkey agreement was signed on March 18, 2016, and came into effect two days later. The goal of the deal is to put an end to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants paying smugglers to cross from Turkey to Greece by returning the majority to Turkey.
The EU relies on this agreement with Turkey to maintain social security in Europe.
"Europe has greater need than ever for social peace. A larger migration wave now, considering the situation Europe is in, would be simply dangerous," Sandberg said. Enditem
