Illegal migration and people smuggling take center stage at the summit, which will be attended by 12 ministers and EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson on Thursday in Berlin. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) was supported by his German counterpart Nancy Fraser.
“We need unity in the fight against illegal migration and in the fight against people smuggling. That is why I am grateful to my German colleague Nancy Faeser for hosting this summit,” Karner said on the edge of the conference. Ministers discussed the protection of the EU’s external borders and a more consistent return policy. “These are important signals to prevent that people are walking the hopeless path to the EU, putting their lives at risk,” explains Karner.
The joint struggle has already yielded success. The Minister of the Interior cited examples from Hungary and Serbia. According to this information, Austrian police officers have successfully supported their Hungarian colleagues in the fight against smugglers. In addition, talks between Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and the Serbian government led to Serbia tightening its visa rules. Austria is supported by many EU countries and the European Commission.
Border protection in the Western Balkans in pictures
In addition to human smuggling, illegal migration and corruption, the tightening of visas in the Western Balkans for third countries, in particular India and Tunisia, are at the heart of the consultations. Karner emphasized that the Austrian position was supported by more and more countries. It is about more consistent surveillance of the external borders, but also border surveillance in the Western Balkans. He expects more cooperation in the fight against the smuggling mafia.
EU foreign ministers will also meet in Berlin on Friday on the same topic, including Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP). The heads of state and government will also hold a conference on 3 November.
Source: Krone
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