Germany wants to issue unbureaucratic visas to those affected by the strong earthquake in Turkey so that they can stay with relatives in Germany. Meanwhile, the debate on this has also reached Austria, but there is still hesitation in this country.
Austria currently wants to support the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria or their relatives by examining their visa applications as soon as possible, but does not want to change the criteria. The Ministry of the Interior in Vienna said on Monday that the Austrian representations, where the applications must be submitted, will make use of the possibilities available within the legal framework. The assessment will continue to be based on the previously applicable criteria.
Citizens’ Initiative for Humanitarian Visas
According to the Ministry of the Interior, a valid visa is required by law for entry into Austria from Syria or Turkey. The conditions for issuing a visa should be checked in an individual procedure, it said.
Meanwhile, SPÖ district councilor in Vienna-Favoriten, Muhammed Yüksek, introduced a parliamentary citizens’ initiative calling for the immediate introduction of a six-month temporary humanitarian visa for relatives of people living in Austria affected by the earthquake. The initiative should now probably be dealt with bindingly in the Committee on Petitions of the National Council, the initiator announced on Monday. Yüksek hopes for broad and cross-party support from the National Council and the population, so that relatives can be helped as quickly and unbureaucratically as possible.
For a limited time to Austria to get help
The parliamentary club SPÖ called for a simplified procedure for a three-month visa for earthquake victims on Monday. People who have lost their homes or need medical treatment should be able to stay with close relatives in Austria for a limited time. “Europe must support those affected and victims of the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria with a major relief effort. What is needed now is rapid assistance on the ground and, as a result, an international plan to support reconstruction – which will take years,” said a statement from the SPÖ parliamentary club.
For Volkshilfe Austria, it is “the need of the hour to work to ensure that earthquake survivors are temporarily admitted to Austria,” President Ewald Sacher said, according to the broadcast. A commitment from the state to cover the costs is also necessary, because the relatives in Austria could not bear them. “A European resettlement program would be the best way because the humanitarian situation in northern Syria, which was catastrophic before the earthquake, has now become even more precarious,” said Volkshilfe director Erich Fenninger.
Germany wants to issue Blitz visas
Germany wants to issue visas to people in Turkey in an unbureaucratic way so that they can stay with relatives in Germany. “We call on the Austrian federal government to join this initiative and also to enable temporary visa facilitation,” the Vienna Integration Council said on Monday. On Sunday, the First Vice-President of the EU Parliament, Othmar Karas, (ÖVP) spoke out in favor of temporarily admitting those affected to Austria.
So far, Austria has provided about three million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund for humanitarian aid after the earthquake. According to reports, more than 70,000 citizens from Syria and Turkey have received protection in Austria over the past seven years.
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.
