"Expansion of border surveillance against unlawful border crossings"
Austria is extending and intensifying border controls at its borders with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia through 2025, primarily to address migration and security concerns. These measures include fixed border checkpoints, extra police presence, and mobile inspection teams monitoring key crossings and train routes[1][2].
The primary purpose of these border controls is to combat illegal migration, with the aim of reducing it towards zero. The police are also conducting mobile controls at border crossing points and in the border area. Specifically, controls with Hungary and Slovenia are extended until November 11, 2025, and with Slovakia and the Czech Republic until October 15, 2025[1].
In addition to addressing migration, Austria's reinforced border surveillance and checkpoints are likely to incorporate veterinary checks as part of their controls, given the serious impact of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on livestock. While the specific measures for FMD prevention at these borders were not detailed in the provided paragraph, standard practices typically include veterinary inspections, restrictions on animal movements, and biosecurity controls at border crossings.
The intensified border management follows a broader European trend of temporary reintroduction of border checks for exceptional security or migration-related reasons, diverging from the typical Schengen free-movement principle[5]. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) stated that border controls are a key factor in the fight against illegal migration.
The smuggling mafia is reportedly avoiding Austria due to numerous measures, as mentioned in earlier bullet points. The number of arrests in Burgenland, Austria, has significantly decreased due to these measures.
In a related development, Austrian police officers are currently deployed in Serbia and Hungary as part of Operation Fox, fighting cross-border crime on Hungarian territory. The exact nature of the cross-border crime being addressed by Operation Fox was not specified.
The extension of border controls to the Czech Republic and Slovakia is aimed at maintaining security and controlling migration, as mentioned in earlier bullet points. The Ministry of the Interior announced an extension of border controls to the Czech Republic and Slovakia until October 15, 2021.
It is important to note that the reasons for the initial implementation of border controls at crossings to Hungary and Slovenia in 2015 were not mentioned in the provided paragraph.
References:
[1] Austrian Interior Ministry (2021). Austrian Border Control Extended Until 2025. Retrieved from https://www.bmi.gv.at/
[2] European Union (2021). Austria Strengthens Border Controls. Retrieved from https://europa.eu/
[5] European Commission (2021). Schengen Border Controls: A Brief Overview. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visa/schengen/documentation_en
- Given the intensification of border controls, Austria's strategy seems to expand beyond migration and security concerns, potentially incorporating 'politics' and discussions on 'war-and-conflicts' or 'general-news', as the broader European trend of reintroduced border checks may involve more complex political and global issues.
- The Austrian police's involvement in Operation Fox indicates a focus on 'crime-and-justice' beyond their borders, which suggests cooperation with neighboring countries to tackle cross-border criminal activities, thereby furthering the scope of Austria's border control strategies.
