Karner satisfied with progress of return initiative for Syrians

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced on Tuesday that 125 Syrian citizens voluntarily left Austria in July as part of an ongoing return initiative. The program, which began three months ago, aims to encourage voluntary departures by offering financial assistance.

Karner stated that the initiative, running through September, provides a premium of up to 3,000 euros to support the return journey of individuals. In July alone, 125 Syrian nationals utilized this offer to leave Austria, with further departures currently being prepared. The minister expressed his optimism that this program will lead to a continued decrease in asylum applications.

While the article focuses on the number of departures in July, it notes that the initiative is a three-month campaign. The specific details regarding the total number of participants or the overall success rate beyond the initial month were not elaborated upon in the provided text. The focus remains on the voluntary nature of the returns and the financial incentive offered.