Denmark and Austria want the EU to admit asylum seekers’ centers outside the territory of the Union. This was stressed by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) on Friday after a meeting with Danish Migration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek in Vienna in view of the ongoing talks on the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. Dybvad praised Austria’s support in reforming EU asylum policy. “Austria is the oldest and strongest partner in this struggle at European level,” he stressed.
Denmark has a special role in EU migration policy because it was given an “opt-out” in the field of internal security after the failed first referendum on the Maastricht EU Treaty in 1992. This allows the Nordic country to hold talks with, for example, Rwanda about setting up asylum seekers centers. However, this plan is not currently being implemented.
Both countries are striving for a European solution
Karner supports efforts to find a European solution. Austria’s goal is to “negotiate” in the EU’s Asylum and Migration Pact the possibility of having talks like the one between Denmark and Rwanda. “Currently we don’t have the option because it’s not foreseen in the EU treaty,” Karner said.
External border control, faster procedures
Karner expressed hope for significant progress at the meeting of EU interior ministers on 8 June. He pointed out that “quite a lot has changed” in the migration debate at EU level in recent months. In particular, he mentioned the agreement that the protection of the external borders should be jointly financed. The need for rapid procedures at the external borders is also “almost mainstream”. “In the same way, the question of the Danish path is something that is also being discussed and debated more intensively,” says Karner, referring to the contentious refugee centers outside Europe.
Denmark is a model country in Europe when it comes to the fight against illegal migration. Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) (see also interview with krone.tv above) only referred to the strict regulations in the social sector during a visit to Copenhagen this week.
Denmark creates incentives for rejected asylum seekers
Dybvad said his country benefits from tightening asylum policies in neighboring countries. But “there are also internal reasons for the lower (asylum seekers) numbers,” he added. “It’s not very attractive to come to Denmark,” he said, referring specifically to the high number of rejected asylum seekers being deported. This also applies to countries such as Syria, where deportations are currently not allowed. While Karner spoke of “more than 20” Syrians voluntarily returning to their homeland from Austria in the past six months, Dybvad reported 400 to 500 voluntary returnees from Denmark last year.
One of the reasons for this is financial incentives. “We give them 5,000 euros if they voluntarily return to build a life,” says Dybvad. As a further measure that works towards voluntary return, he mentioned the restriction of the freedom of movement of rejected asylum seekers. They must remain in “return centres” as long as deportation is not possible due to the security situation in their home country.
Karner for discussion about deportations to Syria
Both ministers expressed interest in a Europe-wide discussion about resuming deportations to Syria. However, it should initially only concern certain regions that are considered safe. Dybvad specifically mentioned the capital of Damascus. “This is a sensitive discussion,” Karner admitted.
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.
