"Neither the German government nor the Afghan government want to see mass emigration, an exodus from Afghanistan, and particularly not of young talented Afghans. We want everybody to be able to live in Afghanistan in freedom, safety and security, and we want them to have the opportunity to find work and housing," said Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière during his visit to Afghanistan.

A call to Afghans

In an interview with the German television news programme ZDF heute journal on 1 February 2016, the Federal Interior Minister stressed that many asylum-seekers are not seeking greater security, but greater prosperity.

Although this is understandable, he said, "it is not a reason to become a refugee". He called on all Afghans who are planning to flee. "There is no cash payment on arrival in Germany. There is not automatically a job or housing." The chances of succeeding in Germany are very slim.

Afghans should not listen to the misinformation spread by human traffickers and risk their lives attempting to reach Germany. In this context, Thomas de Maizière announced that an information campaign will be launched.

Safe areas in Afghanistan

At the same time he stressed that although Afghanistan is not classed as a safe country of origin, there are areas of the country which are safe. "They include many of the northern provinces, but even within less safe provinces some districts enjoy a higher level of safety and security."

Kabul too is a city, where it is not unsafe everywhere, said Thomas de Maizière in an interview on German breakfast television (ZDF Morgenmagazin) on 2 February 2016.

Working together to promote return

Germany and Afghanistan have agreed to step up cooperation so that unsuccessful Afghan asylum-seekers can be returned more effectively. Alongside forced repatriation, efforts are to be stepped up to encourage voluntary return. Scheduled flights already fly German police officers out to Afghanistan, for instance. These could be used to return Afghan citizens.

"Scheduled flights fly into Mazar-i-Sharif. Returning asylum-seekers could reasonably be flown there. We can also use charter flights. All this can be done, and we will begin to do it," stressed the Federal Interior Minister on the German news programme ZDF heute journal.

Thomas de Maizière also offered the Afghan government financial support in connection with the return of Afghan citizens. It should be used primarily to get Afghans into work and to find them housing, he said.