There is no escaping the issue of migration in Austria. There is also ongoing discussion at EU level about new measures. The “International Center for the Development of Migration Policy” (ICMPD) is also specialized in this area. The annual conference took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The general director of the ICMPD center is an old acquaintance: ex-politician Michael Spindelegger. Looking back on his time as vice-chancellor, he says more should have been done to prevent the large flows of refugees from 2015 onwards. “You can never rule out a flow of migrants. It is therefore better to invest more in preparation than to have to deal with the consequences afterwards.
Conversation with Minister Karner
Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner also took part in the event. The challenges at European level were discussed together with the Greek Minister of Migration Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and the State Secretary responsible for Belgium, Nicole de Moor. For Interior Minister Karner, important objectives are the protection of the EU’s external borders and a functioning system for the return of rejected asylum seekers. Now only 20 percent of them leave Europe.
Partnerships with third countries are important
Belgium is therefore campaigning for more diplomatic partnerships with third countries. Because: One EU country alone cannot bring about major changes.
On the one hand, Greece also sees opportunities in cooperation with third countries to reduce illegal migration. On the other hand, legal labor migration could also be made possible, which would benefit the economy.
The EU Migration Pact, adopted this summer, will be crucial to all these challenges. This makes Spindelegger optimistic.
However, he makes it clear: “Migration remains a major problem.”
Sarah Neururer & Balthasar Bachmair, krone.tv
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.
