Horst Seehofer with Sebastian Kurz: Viennese dilemma

"German asylum stop: Are we idiots?", Asks the free tabloid "Today". To answer this question, the German Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer (CSU), went to Vienna on Thursday in a short time. In the morning he had amortized in the Bundestag all the hopes of Austria for a quick response. In other words, there will be no bilateral treaty between Germany and Austria today, and probably in the next few days. Nevertheless, Seehofer chooses pacifying words for Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ) and Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ): "I can badure you that There will be no solution for the refugees He joins Kurz and Strache at the Federal Chancellery of Vienna in front of the press

which should rebadure the government of the neighboring country, which has been put under pressure because of the German asylum plans .. is the head of the government had repeatedly stressed that we would not accept a solution that would be at the expense of Austria.It was " prepared for all scenarios, "Kurz had repeatedly pointed out and threatened to reintroduce border controls at the Brenner.This, it is said, of his environment," will also hit German tourists. "

Politicians Kurz, Strache and Kickl have engaged in a dilemma: In the past they demanded from Germany a firmer stance in refugee politics. CSU even promised after their agreement to have approached the position of Austria. But, obviously, one has not thought about what it would mean for Austria, if Germany actually closes the borders for refugees – namely that these people then stay in Austria. The Austrian government, says the opposition, has "played".

Seehofer: Just agree with Italy and Greece

But after just an hour of discussion, Seehofer and the Austrian government convey a friendly message and agree to this that they agreed to do: the Mediterranean route must be closed. Kurz also says that this will put an end to the illegal migration to Europe.

With Greece and Italy, which would attract most people to Europe, there would be agreements on repatriation. "Refugees who are registered in Greece or Italy and have applied for asylum there should stay in transit centers and be sent back to Greece or Italy," said Mr Seehofer. He pointed out that repatriations to Austria will only take place in cases where refugees are also registered there and have applied for asylum.

million. Seehofer believes that negotiations with Greece and Italy are likely to be difficult. The new Interior Minister in Rome, Matteo Salvini of the Right Lega, had recently made it clear that his country would not take back refugees from Germany. Seehofer says succinctly: If you come to an agreement, you must "think again".

Short wants to "wait and see" development plans no tightening at the border

Next week, he will meet Interior Minister Kickl in Innsbruck with Salvini, to talk about the situation. a common solution. However, the whole question is "such complex discussions" that, ultimately, only the heads of government could define the essential points of the agreements. However, he does not want to steal responsibility.

In summary, Austria states that at the moment, Austria does not provide for stricter controls or other measures at its borders, but expects developments. "It will occupy us for the next few weeks." Austria supports "the German Chancellor and the German Minister of the Interior to put an end to illegal migration," he says. "In recent weeks, many have moved as in recent years, no more." As he notes, the "uncertainties" are quite normal.