Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) today described the EU Commission’s action plan for the Balkan route as the “first important step”. On his arrival at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, Nehammer said that Austria was not only concerned about the Western Balkan route, but also the migration route via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to Austria.
He reiterated his no to expanding Schengen to include Bulgaria and Romania. EU interior ministers are due to decide on extending Schengen on Thursday.
There are other demands from the Austrian side. Nehammer called asylum procedures at the EU’s external border and a “refoulement directive” rather than individual assessments.
Von der Leyen shows understanding for Austria
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed understanding for Austria’s concerns about migration. “Austria needs solidarity and support, which is why we are working specifically with our Austrian friends on this,” von der Leyen was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.
The EU Commission presented the action plan for the Balkan route yesterday. The plan includes 20 measures. The EU Commission wants to support the countries of the Western Balkans in asylum and registration procedures and in “ensuring adequate reception conditions”.
She announced a repatriation program for next year. Frontex, the EU’s border protection authority, should help strengthen the protection of the EU’s external borders. A task force of the EU law enforcement authority, Europol, will also be deployed to fight human smugglers.
Vienna wants candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina
At the summit, to which the 27 Heads of State and Government of the EU and the six countries of the Western Balkans – Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo – and which is being held for the first time in The Western Balkan region, close to migration security, is also an issue. It is also about preventing outside influence.
From Austria’s point of view, granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis of a corresponding recommendation by the EU Commission is particularly important in the process of EU enlargement. Candidate status must be granted in December.