The EU Parliament recently decided to reform the EU asylum system with some stricter measures, but for countries such as Austria and Denmark these do not go far enough. The aim is asylum procedures outside Europe based on the British Rwanda model. This is currently not legally possible, but Vienna and Copenhagen are pushing for legal changes.
An international migration conference took place in the Danish capital on Monday, which focused mainly on cooperation with third countries. Representatives from third countries such as Albania, Tunisia and Mauritania, as well as EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson and international experts also took part in the high-profile event.
Two ministers in step
Danish Migration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner are one body and soul, even though they come from different political families. The Dane is a passionate social democrat, but when it comes to migration issues, the two do not see eye to eye. The fact that Karner and Bek play in the same team was also evident from the fact that they coincidentally gave each other the same gift: a shirt from their own national football team. Coincidentally, they also have the same color.
Karner sees social structures in danger
“Even 30 percent of asylum seekers really need protection. This creates problems for our social systems and our healthcare systems and endangers the security of the country,” Karner said in a lecture at the conference. “Only through cooperation can we achieve a better system. Isolated measures by individual countries do not help; they only lead to changes in escape routes and play into the hands of smugglers. Illegal migration is a global problem that must be solved together.”
“We can’t continue like this”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also found clear words. She described the migration development as worrying. “Of course no one just leaves their house, but we simply cannot continue like this. We must be in control of our own borders. This should not be left in the hands of smugglers. They are not allowed to make decisions for us.”
Despite much resistance to further tightening of asylum legislation in Europe, Karner and his colleague Bek also see movement in their interests. Ministerial colleagues participating in the conference believed that “new approaches are needed and we need to change the rules at European level in this direction”. “We all agree that the way it currently works is not working,” Karner said. From Europe, representatives from Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden and the Czech Republic were present.
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.
