Border Controls to Czech Republic and Slovakia Extended

The extension of border controls is a necessary measure to deter human trafficking, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Additionally, the police are currently supporting health authorities at the border with Slovakia, as well as with Hungary, in the fight against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Ten Schengen States Conduct Border Controls at Internal Borders

As part of the measures taken in connection with the disease, numerous border crossings to Slovakia and Hungary have been temporarily closed. Controls have also been in place at the crossings to Hungary and Slovenia since autumn 2015. Around 40 Austrian police officers are combating cross-border crime on Hungarian territory as part of Operation Fox. In addition, Austrian police officers are currently deployed in Serbia and Hungary against human traffickers.

The Austrian controls take place at stationary border crossing points, but also mobile in the border area. "Border controls are and remain a decisive factor in the fight against illegal migration. The measures taken have massively reduced illegal migration, with the aim of pushing it towards zero," said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). The number of apprehensions in the Balkan region has drastically decreased in the past 18 months, the ministry added. "The human trafficking mafia avoids Austria due to the numerous measures taken."

In a press release on Wednesday, FPÖ security spokesman and National Council member Gernot Darmann responded to Karner's migration policy "with his loser traffic light." The extension of border controls announced by the ÖVP would "by far" not be sufficient. A comprehensive and consistent border protection as well as an immediate asylum stop are needed, as "asylum seekers continue to stream across our borders to then nest in our social system." Currently, ten EU and Schengen states conduct internal border controls: they are Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, and Slovenia.

(APA/Red)

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