Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) is setting the pace for demands for EU billions to protect the EU’s external borders. It is an uphill battle to achieve unity on migration. According to the Chancellor, it is specifically about a fortified fence on the Bulgarian-Turkish border and its surveillance.
The controversial Fortress Europe is not there yet. But it symbolizes a dispute in the EU. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is demanding 2 billion to strengthen the border fence between Bulgaria and Turkey. He is also at the center of the special EU summit.
Critics say the fence is only symbolic, the refugees would find other ways. The Netherlands, which is affected like Austria, is behind Austria, as are other countries such as Italy.
Advertising tour in German media
“Every fence is only as good as it is checked,” says Nehammer (ÖVP). To increase the pressure, Nehammer deliberately turned to major German media such as “Welt” to clarify the position. Especially since Germany’s SPD Chancellor Scholz is acting cautiously and cautiously in making quick decisions on this issue.
European Commission against funds for fences
According to Nehammer, the focus should be on the EU’s external border countries, which should not be left alone. Ahead of the Brussels migration summit, the chancellor had repeatedly called for border fences to be financed with EU funds. The governments of Denmark and Greece supported him, while negative statements came from Germany and the European Commission.
The EU Commission did emphasize that it would make money available for staff and surveillance cameras at the borders. MEPs in Brussels expected concrete solutions on migration and asylum from the EU special summit on Thursday. “We finally need a commitment to a common European asylum reform. The proposals are on the table,” demanded SPÖ MEP Theresa Muigg.
MEPs criticize Nehammer
ÖVP members Angelika Winzig and Lukas Mandl demanded resources from the EU budget to make external border protection really work. Criticism of Nehammer’s statements, on the other hand, came from Green delegation leader Monika Vana, who was “stunned”. The demands would violate international law.
“The right to individual treatment of asylum applications must remain inviolable. A license for Frontex to legalize pushbacks that violate human rights must be strictly rejected,” Vana summarized.
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.
