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Vienna / Berlin . The SPD has not yet approved the plans of the CDU and the CSU. But if the German government decided to establish transit zones on the border with Austria, there would be a domino effect in Europe: Austria wants to move forward immediately and strengthen the border with Austria. Italy and Slovenia. The government in Rome would close the border. And Slovenia should also react. Momentum could continue at the European external borders – as in 2016, when the Balkan route was closed. But in turn.
1 What are the projects of the German Federal Government at the Bavarian border with Austria?
In the area close to the border, transit centers could soon be built. They should be practically in German territory, but not legally. This is crucial for the rest of the procedure. Refugees are controlled in these facilities and must give their fingerprints. The data are entered in the Eurodac database. This determines if the person has already been registered in another EU country.
Large crowds are not involved: Between January and May this year, a total of 4,600 people were illegally entering Austria into Germany, according to the Federal Police [19659005]
2 What Happens to Us? refugees taken to these transit centers?
There are several possibilities. First, if a refugee gives his fingerprints for the first time, he is allowed to enter Germany and apply for asylum. Secondly, if he was registered in another country with which Germany has a contract, he will be taken away after a short trial. Chancellor Angela Merkel is committed to Greece, Spain and France. How many other EU partners are willing to compromise is open. Merkel recently promised agreements with Hungary and the Czech Republic. There, however, she was contradicted. An important partner did not want to be in agreement: Italy.
3 The plan of the Union speaks of an agreement with Austria. What does it mean?
If refugees were registered in a country with which Germany does not have its own repatriation agreement, they are sent back directly to the border. They are not allowed to enter Germany – and therefore remain in Austria. According to the CDU / CSU, this should be done on the basis of an "agreement with the Republic of Austria". But this should be signed first. A 1998 contract governs withdrawals between the two countries. However, this only covers the procedure for illegal migrants, not for asylum seekers.
4 How does the Austrian government react to German plans?
Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) informed Horst Seehofer by telephone on Tuesday that he would not accept anything that could harm Austria. If the Germans are still serious, Austria wants to put pressure. ÖVP and FPÖ spoke on Tuesday of "measures to protect our southern border". Specifically, one would react with its own transit centers, for example in Spielfeld, Bad Radkersburg and Brenner, where the necessary infrastructure has been available since the 2015/16 refugee crisis.
5 How do neighboring countries react to the border plans of Berlin and Vienna?
For the moment, only Slovenia – like the European Commission – requires explanations from Berlin and Vienna. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, replied that he was ready to introduce border checks to Brenner from tomorrow because for Italy it would be a good deal: "There is more than migrants from Italy that in Italy ". The lega leader had already threatened to close the borders – in protest against the Dublin rules, which require migrants to seek asylum in this EU country where they enter for the first time. Salvini, who also telephoned Kickl yesterday, wants to prevent repatriations to Italy in this way. Rome says that Afghans and Pakistanis in particular are entering Austria more and more via Austria: they have crossed the Balkan route and have more asylum possibilities in Italy than in Germany and Italy. in Austria.
6 When do the CDU and the CSU want to put their plans into practice at the border?
Is to the Union: as soon as possible. But there are still some obstacles. On the one hand, the readmission agreements must first be signed – for this reason, Horst Seehofer will come to Vienna on Thursday. On the other hand, the transit centers want to be built first. In addition, the third coalition partner, the SPD, still has some reservations.
7 Can German plans be reconciled with European law?
The compromise on the German asylum is uncertain under European law, although the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has given everything for the moment. In order to fully control who enters Germany, there should be an extension of the controls at the temporary borders. But they are only allowed in November
After that, Germany and Austria will again have to apply for derogations from the Schengen Agreement. For the border to Brenner would be necessary for the first time an exception. Angela Merkel has already announced as compromise an intensification of the search for fog in the border area.
The selective interpretation of the Dublin settlement by Germany is legally problematic. It is true that Horst Seehofer wants to implement the contract where he intends to reject the country of first reception, but not where a longer legal examination procedure is provided for this step. In the Dublin cases, for example, one has to check whether an asylum seeker has relatives in the country of destination or has already had a residence permit in that state. In addition, the person must have the opportunity to appeal a negative decision.
8 What consequences would border controls have on carriers and motorists?
Increased checks also mean more traffic jams at the border, which are expensive, especially for carriers who waste valuable time. total cost per hour and truck removed. Checks also have a negative effect on tourism: up to two hours of waiting threaten the Brenner during the peak summer season.
The total cost of the EU would rise to 470 billion euros because of the reintroduction of border controls in the Schengen area, says a study commissioned by the German Bertelsmann Foundation . Forecasts predict growth losses for Austria of 43.2 billion euros by 2025.
("Die Presse", print edition, 04.07.2018)
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