Austria warns Italy over influx of migrants

Austria warns Italy over influx of migrants
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Austria's Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz calls on Italy to stop migrants from reaching the mainland suggesting it acts as a gateway for them for the rest of Europe.

ADVERTISEMENT

Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz says Italy should stop allowing illegal migrants from reaching the mainland. He said allowing them movement is giving them a gateway to Europe.

The comments were made during a meeting with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano, in Vienna.

It’s estimated Italy has admitted around 500,000 refugees and migrants since 2014 and the numbers continue to grow.

The last few people disembark to an uncertain future in #Europe. It’s been a pleasure getting to know everyone on the journey back to land. pic.twitter.com/ch1Zmedeuc

— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) July 14, 2017

However, earlier this month, the Italian foreign ministry summoned the Austrian ambassador to Rome after Vienna said it was ready to deploy up to 750 troops at the Brenner Pass “very soon” unless the flow of migrants from Italy diminishes.

“If Italy were to continue its transfers to the mainland, not only will Central Europe be overwhelmed, but drownings will continue”, Kurz said, adding that rescue operations in the Mediterranean “should not be a ticket for Central Europe”.

Gutes Gespräch mit AM #Alfano zu bilateralen Bez & #Migration. Unterstütze italienische Initiative für Verhaltenskodex für NGOs. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/DBOuVP4GO0

— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) July 20, 2017

Good conversation with #Alfano on bilateral bez & #Migration. Support the Italian initiative for a code of conduct for NGOs> Habe unsere Forderung nach Schließung d #Mittelmeerroute & Einstellung d Fährverkehrs v d italienischen Inseln auf Festland wiederholt. 2/2

— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) July 20, 2017

Have our demands of closing #Mittelmeerroute of ferry – Italian islands to mainland reviewedKurz said the meeting with Alfano was productive although they did not share “the same position”.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Migration a priority for Austrian EU presidency

Social Housing in Vienna: Is it as good as it seems?

Josef Fritzl to be moved to a regular prison, says his lawyer