“80 percent with us” – migration summit: Nehammer drives Orban in parade

Nehammer was speaking after Orbán used a “question” from Hungarian state broadcaster MTV for self-aggrandizement in migration policy, garnished with EU bashing and Soros criticism. “We are the only migrant-free place in Europe,” the right-wing head of government boasted. This is due to the legal and physical barriers to migration. Migrants can only enter the country after a positive asylum decision. There is also a fence at the border. “I’m not saying migrants can’t jump over sometimes, but we can stop most of them and they can’t even come to Austria as migrants,” Orbán claimed.

Orban criticizes “forced division of EU”
The Hungarian head of government reiterated his criticism of the “forced dispersal” of migrants within Europe decided by EU interior ministers. This is “an invitation” to migrants to get out and about. Therefore, Hungary will find ways and means to avoid having to implement this decision.

In his opening statement, Orbán praised Nehammer and reported that he had “defended” Hungary’s position on the EU Asylum and Migration Pact at the most recent EU summit. “We protect Europe from migratory pressure,” the Hungarian prime minister stressed. Without Hungary and Serbia, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands would be faced with “hundreds of thousands more migrants than today”.

‘Asylum brakes sharply tightened’
Nehammer had a specially printed folder distributed during the press conference, on which the results of the three-party summits were presented so far. “Together with Hungary and Serbia, Austria has considerably tightened the asylum brake,” said the Chancellor. In particular, he led the fight against people smugglers with Hungary and thanked Serbia for ending visa-free travel for Tunisians and Indians. “This immediately led to a sharp drop in the number of asylum applications in Austria,” he said in the direction of the Serbian president. According to figures distributed by the Federal Chancellery, asylum applications from January to May are 20 percent lower than in the same period last year, and in May even 30 percent lower.

Protests at Ballhausplatz
The summit was accompanied by loud protests at Ballhausplatz. A dozen activists from the NGOs SOS Balkanroute and Omas gegen Rechts resisted. They shouted “Schleich di” and stressed that all refugees were welcome. No one was “illegal”. A swear word in the direction of the “unelected chancellor” aroused hilarity. “Nehammer, you gangster, you’ll be out of the picture soon,” he exclaimed.

Police chiefs work together
Nehammer was the first host of the format, which launched last fall. The reason is irregular migration on the Balkan route. This time the focus was on how border security can be strengthened. The police chiefs of the three countries should evaluate and deepen their previous cooperation, the Federal Chancellery said. A working group and more intensive cooperation in the fight against people smugglers were agreed. More police officers will be sent from Austria to the Hungarian-Serbian border. Instead of 20, it could be 70 in the future.

Asylum applications in Austria fell sharply this year. From January to May, there were 20.5 percent fewer applications than in the same period last year. In May it was even 30 percent lower, while asylum applications in the rest of the EU increased by the same percentage.

Kickl: “Not only talking, but also acting”
As long as the EU does not completely reorganize its asylum system, “we have to help ourselves,” Nehammer justified the controversial collaboration with Vucic and Orban. The Greens, the SPÖ and the human rights organizations Amnesty International and Asylum Coordination Austria criticized the summit. It was said that most asylum seekers would come to Austria despite the measures already taken. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl said Nehammer should “not only talk to Viktor Orbán, but also act like Viktor Orbán against illegal mass immigration”.