Austria: Interior Minister speaks out against German progress on asylum policy

Status: 06:14 AM| Reading time: 2 minutes

DrInterior Minister Nancy Visser’s (SPD) initiative in European asylum policy has met with sharp criticism from her Austrian counterpart. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) told Bild (Tuesday) that anyone, like Visser, who wants to form a “coalition of member states willing to accept them” for asylum seekers is sending completely the wrong signals.

“I am speaking out against such efforts.” Such an alliance raises false expectations in the countries of origin.

Instead, Karner pleaded with the paper to form “mind alliances.” When it comes to migration, the EU should focus on those issues on which there is agreement. This is strong border protection, fast actions, and consistent returns.

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Austria has had a restrictive immigration policy for many years. Like Germany, the country is one of the main destinations for immigrants, who, according to the authorities, often come for economic reasons. In 2021, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office, 40,000 people who crossed national borders illegally and in some cases with the help of smugglers were arrested, double the number in the previous year.

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After meeting with EU Internal Commissioner Ylva Johansson in Berlin last Friday, Visser said the “coalition of receiving member states” could move forward and thus embark on the further development of the European asylum system. Her first talks with France and Italy on immigration issues were promising.