After Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) downplayed Austria’s veto threat for an expansion of the Schengen area, at least as far as Croatia is concerned, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) refused to commit to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, despite repeated questions from journalists. He also made two demands at a special meeting of EU interior ministers on Friday (see video above). But these, like the Schengen debate now under discussion, will not be on the agenda. The expectations of the date are generally rather subdued.
The Commission should fund support for border guards in affected countries. In addition, he calls for a kind of ‘refoulement policy’, according to the red-white-red minister of the Interior. Therefore, the Commission should investigate how it is legally possible to save on individual examinations for those “who have practically no chance of asylum”. On the other hand, it was also possible for the Ukrainians to get the displaced persons directive into force within days, Karner recalled on Wednesday. However, according to reports, the Czech Presidency of the EU Council is not planning any decisions or commitments.
Debate on Schengen area not until December
The decision on the admission of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area is not scheduled until the next regular EU Council of Ministers on 8 December. The purpose of the meeting is an exchange of views on the currently increasing number of migrants entering the European Union, mainly via the Central Mediterranean route, but according to diplomatic circles also via the Western Balkan route. The EU Commission will present its action plan for the Mediterranean route at the special meeting on Friday. According to reports, it is also unclear whether the meeting should discuss the role of non-governmental organizations in sea rescue.
Migration dispute between Paris and Rome
The original background of the special meeting is a resurgent dispute between Italy and France over migration. The government of Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had refused to allow the Ocean Viking rescue vessel with 234 migrants on board to enter an Italian port. France seized the ship and a third of the people and accused Italy of violating international law.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
