Following a similar move by the Czech Republic toward Slovakia to combat illegal immigration, Austria today, on Wednesday, announced the introduction of restrictions on border crossings with Slovakia, effective at midnight.
In remarks reported by the American “ABC” network, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the border restrictions were implemented in response to the Czech Republic’s imposition of comparable restrictions on its borders with Slovakia. He also stated that his nation’s decision was made to prevent people smugglers from using Austria as a substitute following the Czech decision.
The minister continued by saying that his nation has already imposed limitations on its borders with Slovenia and Hungary and that its current priorities are the fight against organised smuggling and human trafficking. The duration of the new limitations was not specified by the minister.
It is significant that Austria still has border controls with Hungary and Slovenia even though many immigrants from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan joined the EU in 2015.
Slovakia’s border with Austria is restricted in order to stop illicit immigration.
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