Austria urges a joint EU strategy for the repatriation of Syrian refugees after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. “Europe needs an all-encompassing Syria strategy” said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to the “World” before the meeting of EU state and government leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
“It brings Europe nothing if only Syrian citizens are redistributed within Europe. Rather, the strategy should aim to offer people in Syria a perspective in their homeland.” This should also include the rebuilding of a democracy. “Syria needs its Syrian citizens now” the Chancellor said. “It is necessary to understand the fall of the Assad regime as an opportunity for Europe” he added.
Nehammer also announced that “a meeting with so-called `like-minded states` will take place in the run-up to the EU summit to discuss the migration issue further.” Along with Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, Austria is one of the “European forerunners to push for a paradigm shift in European asylum policy.” The concerns of these states on migration issues are reportedly gaining more support. “We will actively seek partners in the question of Syria as well” said the Austrian Chancellor.
Nehammer also called for an EU special envoy to hold talks with the new leadership in Syria. “This has absolute priority to build sustainable dialogue channels with the new power holders.”
Looking ahead to the Western Balkans summit in Brussels on Wednesday, Nehammer said: “It’s also about setting a strong signal to the Western Balkan region in terms of enlargement. If we don’t reward performance and reforms, we risk losing the Western Balkan” – a development that would not only be economically but also geopolitically a weakening for the entire European Union: “Bilateral talks on EU membership with Serbia have been ongoing for ten years.”
The Austrian Chancellor further stated that, in the view of his government, “it is now time for the European Council to make corresponding decisions and recognize the progress.” Austria had achieved significant progress in its talks with Serbia this year. “As a strong partner of the Western Balkans, we will continue to advocate for the region with determination” Nehammer said.