Interior Ministers of German-Speaking Countries Push for Syrian Deportations
During a recent two-day meeting in Krems, the interior ministers of German-speaking nations expressed strong support for accelerating deportations and facilitating voluntary returns to Syria. Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, who hosted the discussions, announced on Tuesday that concrete plans are set to be developed in this regard. The meeting also addressed the implementation of the EU's asylum and migration pact, alongside strategies to combat extremism and terrorism.
In a significant move, Karner and his German counterpart, Nancy Faeser, conducted an unannounced visit to Syria prior to their discussions, where they met with Anas Khattab, the interior minister of the Syrian transitional government. Karner emphasized that the issue of Syria was a focal point of their talks in Krems. He stated that enabling deportations and facilitating voluntary returns, along with the development of appropriate plans, is essential. He acknowledged the complexity of these discussions but noted a consensus among the ministers on the need to proceed.
In terms of addressing illegal migration and combating human trafficking, Karner reported progress, highlighting that 19 individuals were apprehended at the Austrian border with Hungary in the previous week. This figure marks a notable decrease compared to the 3,600 apprehensions recorded in a similar week in 2022. Additionally, the number of new asylum applications from Syrian citizens in March was reported to be 58, representing one of the lowest figures in the past 15 years. The minister emphasized the importance of continuing to work diligently in this area.
Karner also stressed the need for swift and coordinated implementation of the EU's asylum and migration pact, particularly concerning the protection of the EU's external borders. He asserted the intention of the ministers to take a leading role in these efforts. Faeser reinforced this point, advocating for streamlined processes related to deportations, particularly in reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
The discussions also touched upon the ongoing collaboration between Austria and Germany regarding the rejection of asylum seekers at their respective borders. Karner characterized the current discussions as largely theoretical, given the recent trends in apprehensions. He looked forward to productive cooperation with Faeser's anticipated successor, Alexander Dobrindt, from the CSU.
On the second day of the meeting, the focus shifted to the issues of extremism and terrorism. The session included participation from Jörg Leichtfried, the SPÖ state secretary, and Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the State Protection and Intelligence Directorate (DSN). Key points discussed included the importance of networking and data sharing among nations. Faeser identified similar tendencies of radicalization in neighboring countries, particularly in online environments.
Alongside Karner and Faeser, other ministers from Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland also participated in the Krems meeting. These regular gatherings of the interior ministers from German-speaking countries provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and cooperation. The previous year's meeting took place in Basel, Switzerland. Notably, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the governor of Lower Austria and former interior minister, also attended the discussions, advocating for an efficient and effective return system that meets European standards.