Neighbouring countries voice their opinions on Dobrindt's proposed border plans.
Title: Neighboring Nations Sound Off: Germany's Border Plan Taking a Toll on Migration Relations
Accolades and criticisms abound as Germany’s new border strategy, led by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, promises tougher checks and swift rejections of certain refugees. Yet, not every neighboring nation welcomes this change with open arms.
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Within days of Germany’s fresh leadership, Dobrindt makes waves by tightening border security and expediting refugee rejections – a notable departure from Merz’s initial pledge to "collaborate with European neighbors" in these matters.
The Swiss are vocal in their disappointment, worrying that the German policy flouts Swiss law. "Systematic border rejections violate our legal norms," says the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police. They're keeping a close eye on developments, venturing potential measures, and call for excluding passenger traffic from fortified controls.
dialogue with the Swiss authorities about the matter remains lacking, according to Federal Councilor Beat Jans.
Poland, on the other hand, lends its support for stricter border management, acknowledging Germany's necessity for enhanced border controls. Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasizes the need for policies to prioritize external borders of the Schengen area over internal ones.
Meanwhile, Austria and the Czech Republic manifest their solidarity with Germany. The Austrian government praises the new direction, expressing hope for a fruitful collaboration in matters of return and external border protection. A telephonic exchange between Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and his German counterpart took place, tempering shared insights and strategies. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan also chats with Dobrindt, confident that Germany's measures won't affect their country unduly.
Dobrindt's policy takes no prisoners, threatening to deport even asylum-seekers. Plans include redeploying more federal police at the borders, working up to 12-hour shifts, and tightening criteria for granting asylum. Exempt are pregnant women and children.
Sources: ntv.de, mpa
- Refugees
- Refugee policy
- Migrants
- Immigration
- Germany
- Friedrich Merz
- Alexander Dobrindt
- Switzerland
- Poland
- Donald Tusk
- Czech Republic
- Austria
Enrichment Data Insight:The international community's response to Germany's new refugee policy largely involves observing, monitoring, and considering adjusting own border control measures in response to the tougher stance Germany is taking. While specific official reactions from Switzerland, Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic remain unclear, these nations historically cooperate with Germany on border security within the Schengen Area framework and may engage in talks to manage migration effectively across borders.
- Germany's new border strategy, led by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, has elicited varied reactions from neighboring nations, with the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police expressing concern that the policy violates Swiss law due to systematic border rejections.
- Poland supports stricter border management, acknowledging Germany's need for enhanced controls, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasizes the importance of prioritizing external borders of the Schengen area over internal ones.
- Austria and the Czech Republic have shown solidarity with Germany, with the Austrian government expressing hope for fruitful collaboration in matters of return and external border protection.
- Dobrindt's policy includes strict measures, such as deploying more federal police for long shifts, tightening criteria for asylum, and potentially deporting even asylum-seekers, except for pregnant women and children.
