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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday defended a decision by the conservative-led government to stop financial support for civilian sea rescue organizations operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
The decision has drawn criticism from the opposition Green party, who warned it could worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
What has Berlin said about rescue funding?
Speaking at a news conference in Canada, Wadephul said the pulling of funding had been "the right decision to make."
"Germany remains committed to humanity and always will be," Wadephul said. "But I don't believe it is the foreign office's job to use funds for this type of sea rescue," he added.
Wadephul's ministry on Wednesday said no money had been earmarked for migrant rescue groups in Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's new budget plans.
The German Foreign Ministry under the previous coalition, led by Green Party minister Annalena Baerbock, had provided significant financial support to NGOs involved in rescuing migrants attempting to reach Europe from Africa.
German Chancellor Merz rejects criticism of border controls
That funding drew criticism from the center-right Christian Democrats of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May promising to toughen up immigration policy. The policy also led to tensions with Italy, as many of the rescued migrants were brought ashore there.
According to a ministry source, the German government gave €2 million ($2.3 million) last year to organizations including SOS Humanity, Sea Eye and SOS Mediterranee to support rescue operations for migrants in distress.
What criticism has there been of the move?
Gorden Isler, chairman of the sea rescue NGO Sea-Eye, called the shift in policy a "catastrophic signal."
"Now we might have to remain in port despite emergencies at sea," he said.
The Greens sharply criticized the decision.
"This move will predictably worsen the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and cause human suffering," said Green parliamentary group leader Britta Hasselmann on Wednesday.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
