German government reaches agreement on migrant deal

July 2 (UPI) -- The German government came to an agreement Monday on a migration deal after two days of negotiations during which the country's interior minister offered to resign.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union, said the agreement was a "really good compromise."

The deal sets up zones along the border with Austria to facilitate quick deportations for migrants not allowed to seek asylum in Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the agreement "allows us to preserve the spirit of partnership in the EU."

One day earlier, Seehofer said he would step down from his role as interior minister and as leader of the Christian Social Union -- the sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats.

Seehofer, who has called for tougher policies on refugees, had given Merkel two weeks to broker a deal with other EU leaders that would allow German police to reject migrants at the border who are already registered in another EU country.

"We have a clear agreement on how to prevent illegal migration in future on the border between Germany and Austria," Seehofer said Monday. "I am glad that this agreement has been reached. It has once again proved to be worth fighting for a conviction. And what has now been agreed is really a clear agreement that is very sustainable for the future."

Under current EU law, asylum seekers at the border must be taken in and arrangements made on a case-by-case basis to send them back to the first country of entry.

Seehofer's threat to resign came after Merkel's Christian Democrats passed a resolution Sunday supporting her position on migration.

A coalition of the Social Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the CSU must accept the new accord before it can go into affect.