Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) complains about a huge increase in migration in Austria and criticizes the European Commission sharply in this regard. “I expect the European Commission to get to work, because more and more member states are dissatisfied,” Nehammer said in an interview with the German newspaper “Welt” (Tuesday edition).
“Why does the Commission, as guardian of the treaties, ultimately fail to ensure that EU law is constantly infringed when so many illegal migrants arrive in a landlocked country like Austria, which has previously traveled through several EU countries and is safe third countries without being stopped?” Nehammer wondered. The EU commission had “unfortunately ignored the perforated external borders” in recent years.
Nehammer wants ‘protective wall for member states’
Nehammer continues: “The EU border security agency Frontex must also be held accountable to finally protect the EU’s external border effectively and act as a protective wall for member states and against smuggling crime.” In addition, the European Commission must ensure that the home countries take back illegal migrants as quickly as possible and give these states appropriate incentives.
According to the chancellor, Austria received nearly 57,000 asylum applications between the beginning of January and the end of August – a 195 percent increase from the previous year. “And the numbers will continue to rise. In addition, there are approximately 85,000 Ukrainians that we protect and care for. In Austria, the measure is full,” said Nehammer.
EU relies on “Team Europe”
The Vice-President of the EU Commission responsible for Migration, Margaritis Schinas, emphasized on Monday after a meeting with Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) in Vienna: “No state can manage migration alone.” You have to work together as “Team Europe”. According to Schinas, he informed Karner about his recent trip to the Balkans, after the increasing number of arrivals put pressure on Austria. He also wanted to meet Nehammer on Monday evening.
Criticism of National Self-Propelled Gas Price Brakes
In view of rising energy prices, the chancellor criticized the national DIY efforts in the so-called gas price brake. “But this gas price brake can only be organized at European level. It is forbidden to do it alone, also because it could affect competitiveness in the internal market,” Nehammer told the newspaper.
“The EU must collectively accept a certain price for gas used to generate electricity and pass it on to consumers. This is the only way to finally decouple high gas prices from electricity prices. Of course, market prices would have to be paid for the gas, otherwise the EU will not get any gas.” The difference between the market purchase price and the consumer price should be borne by the public sector.
Source: Krone
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