The European migration organization ICMPD fears a huge wave of refugees because of the war between Israel and Iran, where there is currently a ceasefish -fire. Michael Spindlegger already knows where the refugees in Europe could appear for the first time.
“Russia knows how to organize something like that,” says the ÖVP-Hemal Vice Chancellor in an interview with the APA. That is why it would not be surprised if many Iranians appeared on the Belarusian-Polish border. Spindlegger also mentions a temporary horizon: because experience has shown that the decision to flee is taken by three to six months delay, it can be ready at the end of the year. “It can be millions,” he explains. Moreover, Europe would be a preferred goal.
The expansion of the ICMPD
The former Vice Chancellor wants to take steps to strengthen the organization at the start of the year -as reported, takes over the former integration -minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP). Albania must, for example, take ‘the last obstacles’ to become a member of the ICMPD. The number of Member States has increased from 15 to 21 among the spindlegers of the Aegide, including Turkey, Germany and Greece. Spain is also “in the pipeline”.
When he took office in 2015, he was important to “set up the ICMPD as the European Migration Agency”. This was “largely successful”. Nowadays, ICMPD is not only a contact person at a technical level, but also at the political level. The organization advises its member states and partner countries on dealing with migration flows. Founded by Austria and Switzerland against the background of the Balkans names in the nineties, it eventually received a pan -European dimension after the migration crisis 2015/16.
“Legitimate” debate about the human rights convention
Ten years after the major migration crisis, Spindlegger sees progress in dealing with this problem with the political discussions in many countries. “It’s going much further, but these are details,” he says for example with a view to the EU asylum and Migration Pact, which was decided last year. The number of migrants in Europe has continuously increased since 2010, and this will remain that way.
The 65-year-old sees the debate about a change in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which started according to a letter from nine EU government heads. However, it is more logical to better use the existing national design options, for example via pilot tests for asylum procedures in third countries.
Visapolitics is “a very big problem”
Asked for the most promising approaches in the fight against irregular migration, Spindlegger said “that you should think of the big whole”. “The European Union has a greater weight when it comes to agreement with third countries. It also has various options,” he referred to trade policy and investments. A “very big problem” is also the visa policy, says Spindlegger with a view to statistics, according to which a large part of the asylum applications in Europe has been made for legal access. Here you have to “look carefully at every country because others pay the bill,” he emphasizes with a view to secondary migration. There are also positive examples in this area, such as the advanced decline of ashi figures in Europe after Serbia has changed its visa policy.
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.
