In the run-up to the EU summit: Austria broadcasts particular conferences of like-minded states on migration | EUROtoday

After the autumn of ruler Assad, Austria is pushing for a standard EU technique to repatriate Syrian refugees. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) advised WELT instantly earlier than the assembly of EU heads of state and authorities in Brussels on Thursday: “Europe urgently needs a comprehensive Syria strategy. It will be of no use to Europe if Syrian citizens are simply redistributed within Europe. Rather, the strategy must aim to offer the people in Syria prospects in their homeland. Syria needs its fellow Syrians now.”

According to Nehammer, it’s essential to “see the fall of the Assad regime as an opportunity for Europe.” The United Nations, in the meantime, expects round a million Syrian refugees to return to their residence nation between January and June 2025. Most of them most likely come from Turkey, Syria’s neighboring nation.

At the identical time, Nehammer introduced that “a meeting with so-called ‘likeminded states’ will take place in the run-up to the EU summit to further discuss the migration issue.” Together with Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, Austria is without doubt one of the European pioneers in selling a paradigm shift in European asylum coverage. According to Nehammer, the issues of those states concerning migration points have gotten more and more standard. “We will also specifically look for partners on the question of how to deal with Syria,” stated Austria’s Chancellor. This isn’t just about repatriations, but additionally the reconstruction of infrastructure and the institution of democracy within the long-standing civil battle nation.

Nehammer additionally known as for an EU particular envoy to carry talks with the brand new management in Syria. “This is an absolute priority in order to establish viable channels of dialogue with the new rulers.”

The EU has now introduced that it desires to reopen its diplomatic mission in Syria. “We cannot leave a vacuum in Syria. The EU must be present,” stated EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. Germany can also be at present exploring a diplomatic presence in Damascus. “We are closely monitoring the activities of the HTS (editor’s note: Islamist militia Hajat Tahrir al-Sham) and the interim government appointed by the HTS,” stated a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office in Berlin. Syria should neither change into a plaything for international powers nor an experiment by radical forces.

With a view to the Western Balkans summit happening in Brussels on Wednesday, Chancellor Nehammer stated: “This summit is also about sending a strong signal to the Western Balkans region with a view to enlargement. If we do not reward performance and reforms, we risk losing the Western Balkans – a development that would weaken the entire European Union, both economically and geopolitically.: “Accession negotiations have been underway with Serbia for 10 years.”

Austria’s head of government further said that, from his government’s perspective, “it is now time for the European Council to make appropriate decisions and recognize the progress.” This year, Austria has finally made progress in the negotiations with Serbia. “As a strong partner for the Western Balkans, we will continue to campaign vigorously for the region,” stated Nehammer.