Migration: Austria Initiated Talks with Taliban Regime
A two-member delegation from the department stayed in the radical Islamic-ruled country until Wednesday, the ministry confirmed to the APA, citing a report from the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". It is emphasized that these were discussions of a "technical-operational nature".
Austria, represented by the Minister of the Interior, would like to deport back to Afghanistan. However, this has so far been de facto impossible, as there are no official contacts with the Taliban. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) has been pushing at the European level for some time to initiate appropriate steps here.
Numerous Asylum Applications from Afghans
This year, nearly 1,200 asylum applications from Afghanistan were rejected in the first eleven months. However, this number is relativized again when you consider that almost 1,000 people who did not receive asylum status were granted subsidiary protection, and can therefore also stay in the country.
Nevertheless, there may be a not so small number of people who could still be deported. After all, in the past ten years, almost 95,000 asylum applications from Afghans have been received. In addition, the VfGH has again allowed deportations to Afghanistan. This was justified in one case by the fact that the security situation has improved since the radical Islamic Taliban took power.
The Ministry of the Interior emphasizes that the discussions in Kabul were about how to "technically implement" repatriations. Karner is primarily concerned with sending back Afghans who have committed crimes - also to send a signal to all those who do not abide by the laws.
Norway Also in Contact with Taliban Regime
The Federal Office for Foreigners and Asylum has also coordinated closely with other member states and the EU delegation in Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of the Interior, which emphasizes that this was not a political contact but one at the official level. Austria is not alone in this. Norway also maintains contacts with the regime.
(APA/Red)
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