Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for a new “axis” with other European countries to combat illegal migration, Wednesday.
Kurz, 31, a conservative, pressed for Italy, Germany and Austria to join together and form an “axis” against illegal migration in Europe, Politico reported. Kurz met with Horst Seehofer, the conservative German interior minister, about tightening borders to combat the rise of illegal migration. (RELATED: Italy’s New Interior Minister Demands Boat Carrying Migrants To Turn Around)
“In our view, we need an ‘axis of the willing’ in the fight against illegal migration,” Kurz told reporters following his meeting with Seehofer, according to Deutsche Welle. “I am happy about the good cooperation that we want to develop between Rome, Vienna and Berlin. I think it marks very sensible cooperation that will contribute to reducing illegal migration to Europe.” (RELATED: Slovenian Political Leader Wants To Put ‘Slovenia First’ Agenda In Melania Trump’s Home Country)
“We shouldn’t wait until we have a catastrophe, like in 2015,” Kurz added in reference to German Chancellor Angela Merkel opening Germany’s border to take in refugees. (RELATED: Italian Politician Says Sending Back Illegal Immigrants Is A Top Priority)
“From my point of view, it would be ideal to secure the external borders of the European Union,” Seehofer noted. “I promised Chancellor Kurz that on the question of strengthening the external borders he has my full support as interior minister.” (RELATED: Italy’s New Prime Minister Stresses Eurosceptic Ideas In First Speech To Parliament)
As a result of his meeting with the politician, Seehofer skipped Merkel’s “integration summit” in Berlin. Seehofer told reporters that it was a result of being compared to a Nazi by journalist Neha Atman due to his anti-migrant views. (RELATED: Italian Prime Minister Prepared To Cancel France Visit After Macron Denounced Italy For Refusing Migrants)
Seehofer will also discuss migration with Matteo Salvini, Italy’s new interior minister who is also tough on immigration. Salvini previously told illegal migrants to “pack your bags” during a rally this month in Northern Italy.
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