The Austrian Chancellor wishes to draw inspiration from the Rwanda plan adopted by the United Kingdom to be able to deport asylum seekers to Africa.
While receiving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Vienna, the Austrian leader praised the UK’s migration policy on Tuesday, “pioneer” in the outsourcing of asylum procedures outside Europe.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s conservative party has long taken a hard line on immigration and faces the threat of the party’s rise of freedom far-right for elections scheduled for the fall.
Chancellor Nehammer said that Austria and the United Kingdom, which left the European Union in 2020, are “strategic partners to jointly carry out asylum procedures in safe third countries“.
“The United Kingdom is a pioneer in this direction, which will also be important for the European Union.”he said at a joint press conference with Mr Sunak.
“With the Rwandan model, we are the first to be able to put asylum procedures in safe third countries on the European Union’s agenda.”
Austria is one of 15 countries in the 27-member EU that last week called for more deals with countries where migrants leave or pass through on their way to Europe.
“Rwanda” map
At the end of April, the British Parliament passed a law aimed at sending some migrants to Rwanda. From this summer flights will be chartered as part of Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s controversial plan.
Human rights defenders and migrant associations have promised to continue to fight against this policy, which they consider unethical and inhumane.
Mr Sunak said:we must look for new ideas, solutions and deterrent measures – removals to safe third countries – like the UK’s pioneering program in Rwanda.”
“It is increasingly clear that many other countries now agree that this is the approach that is needed: boldness, novelty, seeking partnerships with safe countries.” he added.
Additional sources • AP