Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) underlined their previous direction on Easter Saturday: the “fight against illegal migration and smuggling” would be “significantly tightened”, it said in a message to the “Krone”, notably the border guards in the Balkans are therefore a concern of the federal government – and they want to step up the pressure on the EU.
The Chancellor and Interior Minister see a lot of catching up to do, especially when it comes to protecting the external borders: the European Commission should distribute the promised funds for external border countries such as Bulgaria and implement pilot projects with rapid procedures and immediate returns, he said on Saturday. Nehammer called on the EU to finally “take action”. The Chancellor will not allow the control-free Schengen area to be expanded until the EU’s external borders are effectively protected and numbers continue to fall.
After “clearly measurable successes” (visa liberalization in Serbia, joint police patrols with Hungary), the Interior Minister also announced further support to the Balkan countries: police units and technical equipment will be made available.
The Easter message was concluded by the Chancellor and the Interior Minister with a detailed summary of the measures taken so far. These include cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina on “consistent returns” (training); Cooperation with Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia on joint border controls (personnel, equipment); criminal police cooperation with Serbia, Romania and Hungary (“Operation Fox” against human smuggling).
Hard symbolism
When it comes to migration, the federal government has relied on harsh symbolism, at least since constitutional minister Karoline Edtstadler said the word “fence” in the “Krone” studio. The chancellor himself said that “effective barriers” like the one between the US and Mexico must be built. “They have to be very long, they have to go very deep into the ground and they have to be monitored consistently,” Nehammer added.
As is well known, Nehammer is also committed to limiting social benefits in Austria – people who have not been in the country for five years should receive none or fewer. That even upset the green coalition partner (like certain spokesmen about the end of internal combustion engines). “As far as we know, the ideas of the ÖVP are hardly legally feasible,” the green parliamentary club notes.
Agreements on pilot projects
However, in February – not least under pressure from Austria – the EU agreed to at least two pilot projects at its external borders (see also the video above). According to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, one of the projects is to secure the border between Bulgaria and Turkey with vehicles, cameras, roads and watchtowers. These should be financed from EU funds, the Bulgarian budget and contributions from EU countries.
The barriers desired by Nehammer were not mentioned, only “infrastructure” at the borders was mentioned. The Commission recently said that it is up to Bulgaria to decide what resources it needs to protect its borders. Then we are happy to help you.
What do you think of the Chancellor’s Migration Course? Big words and not much behind them? Or should the government not be usurped one or the other respectable success? We are curious about your opinion! At krone.tv you will soon be able to ask your questions directly to the Chancellor.
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.
