Sutaj Estok Meets Austrian Counterpart to Discuss Border Protection

Bratislava, 24 November (TASR) - Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and his Austrian counterpart Gerhard Karner agreed to change the approach to border protection during their bilateral meeting at the Jarovce-Kittsee border crossing on Monday, TASR reported on the same day. Even though illegal migration figures have decreased significantly, the two ministers discussed how to tighten up measures in order to keep the numbers low, highlighting the need to protect borders not only at border crossings but also along the entire border on both sides. "We agreed that the security situation in Slovakia, Austria and across Europe is different from three years ago, when tens of thousands of illegal migrants were arriving via the Balkan route annually," said Sutaj Estok, adding that the fight against migration has been successful. The ministers also discussed the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact, agreeing that the worst thing it could bring is so-called false solidarity. This would be an invitation to all smugglers bringing not only illegal migrants but also weapons, ammunition and drugs, stated Sutaj Estok. According to Karner, there's a need to move away from the quota system, while asylum proceedings should be relocated outside the European Union's borders, ideally to third countries or countries of origin. However, the rules shouldn't restrict those crossing the border on a daily basis, such as commuters. The ministers also discussed the security situation in both countries, recalling this year's tragic school incidents in Graz, Austria and Spisska Stara Ves (Presov region). Sutaj Estok linked these events to a radicalisation of society and praised Austria's efforts to restrict social networks for children under 14, calling it good inspiration for de-radicalisation. jrg/df