Europe has accepted too many refugees, according to the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan spiritual leader, who has himself lived in exile for more than half a century, said in an interview that Europe should admit refugees only temporarily and they should eventually return to help rebuild their home countries, reported AFP.

“When we look into the face of every single refugee, especially the children and women, we can feel their suffering,” the Dalai Lama said. “A human being who is a bit more fortunate has the duty to help them. On the other hand, there are too many now. There are so many [refugees] that in practice it becomes difficult. Europe, for example Germany, cannot become an Arab country. Germany is Germany,” he added.

Germany admitted 1.1 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries last year, according to the report. However, the number was reduced considerably by the decision of Balkan countries to shut their borders to refugees going to northern Europe via Turkey.