FINLAND TO REJECT 60 PCT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS

The Finnish government said on Thursday that about 60 percent of the approximately 32,000 asylum seekers who arrived in Finland last year are expected to receive a negative decision.

Paivi Nerg, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, told Finnish daily Hesingin Sanomat that all the asylum applications would be processed by the end of May at the latest.

"Our estimate shows that the proportion of negative decisions to be made in Finland could be about 60 percent," Nerg was quoted as saying.

The ministry announced its plan earlier to set up one or more repatriation centers for those asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected. The plan has been pushed forward now, according to Nerg.

She said that there will be two kinds of repatriation centers -- one for those who receive a negative decision and want to leave Finland voluntarily, the other for those who wish to appeal against the decision.

Last week, the Finnish Immigration Service said more than 40 percent of the processed asylum applications in 2015 had been rejected.