German-speaking countries: Border controls in Germany remain – News

Representatives from the five German-speaking countries discussed irregular migration.

The interior ministers of the five German-speaking countries – Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – met in Basel for several rounds of discussions over the last two days. The focus was on the topics of migration and the fight against organized crime.

Germany has seen a massive decline in irregular migration; we have a decline of 20 percent.

Six months ago, Germany reintroduced border controls on the border with Switzerland – against the wishes of the Federal Council. And nothing will change in the near future, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser made it clear: “As long as Germany suffers as much from migration pressure as it does now and it is necessary to control more strictly, we need border controls, which we have with Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria also has.”

Germany is expanding border controls

But not only these borders will continue to be controlled, said Faeser, but Germany will soon expand its border controls to France, the Netherlands and other countries. This also applies to the European Football Championships, which will take place in Germany in the summer. From her point of view, the border controls are a success, said Nancy Faeser

“Since we introduced border controls, we have seen a massive decline in irregular migration in Germany, a decline of 20 percent. And we have had great success in catching smuggling gangs. This is very important because one in four people in Germany comes with smugglers.”

The fact that Germany wants to continue carrying out controls on the border with Switzerland is not well received by the Federal Council, among other things because this would restrict 10,000 cross-border commuters. “We still wish that the border controls with Germany would be ended. We have also deposited this wish,” said Justice Minister Beat Jans. For Switzerland, the introduction of border controls is still not an option.

Reference to the Dublin Agreement

Apart from this difference of opinion, the five ministers from the German-speaking countries appeared to be emphatically united. In particular, when it comes to the repatriation of migrants within the framework of the Dublin Agreement, they want to speak with one voice in the future.

The five of us can achieve significantly more than if we phone Rome, Athens or Budapest individually.

For example, it is planned that the German-speaking countries will now approach the EU Commission together with the aim of Italy, Hungary and Greece taking back more migrants who have traveled from their countries within the EU. “When it comes to complying with the Dublin rules, we think that with five people we can achieve more. We can achieve much more together than if we telephone Rome, Athens or Budapest individually.”

The five countries also pledged to strengthen their cooperation in combating international organized crime.