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Germany and Austria Push EU Return Regulation: 'We Won't Be Dictated To'
🇦🇹 Austria /Crime & Justice

Germany and Austria Push EU Return Regulation: 'We Won't Be Dictated To'

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Germany and Austria are pushing for an EU return regulation that includes centers for rejected asylum seekers in third countries.
  • The regulation aims to give states control over who enters the EU, rather than smugglers.
  • Member states are tasked with negotiating with third countries to establish these "Return Hubs," with potential consequences for non-cooperating nations.

Germany and Austria are accelerating efforts to implement an EU return regulation that proposes establishing centers for rejected asylum seekers in third countries.

As Europeans, we must make it clear that there are consequences when states in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East do not cooperate in taking back their citizens.

— OfficialExplaining the stance on non-cooperating countries regarding the return of their citizens.

The core motivation behind the regulation, according to officials, is to ensure that states, not smuggling networks, determine who enters the European Union. This initiative aims to address the unacceptably low rate of executed return orders across Europe, which stands at just over 28 percent.

Member states are now responsible for negotiating with non-EU countries to establish these "Return Hubs." Officials emphasize that cooperation from countries of origin is expected, as the individuals in question are their citizens. Clear messages are being sent that non-cooperation in the repatriation of citizens will have consequences.

I don't want to threaten, but I want to make it very clear that we will not be dictated to.

— OfficialDescribing the firm approach towards countries that do not cooperate with repatriation efforts.

These potential consequences could involve development aid, economic cooperation, or access to the European single market, as well as visa policies. Officials state they are not issuing threats but are making it clear that they "will not be dictated to."

The law must be enforced, because we are talking about rejected applicants.

— OfficialJustifying the need for deportations, even to challenging regions.

Despite criticism from human rights organizations regarding deportations to volatile regions like Syria, officials maintain these are case-by-case decisions, noting that significant parts of Syria are now more stable. The implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact after a decade of debate is seen as a positive step, enabling Europe to solve problems while respecting asylum law and the Geneva Refugee Convention. Officials also expressed hope for the eventual dismantling of internal border controls within the Schengen area, contingent on improved external border management and the implementation of immediate returns.

Everyone wants to return to the old Schengen standard, but the prerequisite is control at the external border, which is now working much better.

— OfficialLinking the restoration of free travel within Schengen to effective external border controls.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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