Austria intends to gradually exacerbate conditions for entry of refugees into the country, but no actual measures have been adopted yet. Last weekend 54 migrants were rejected by Austria, while 154 were rejected by Slovenia. Foto: EPA
Austria intends to gradually exacerbate conditions for entry of refugees into the country, but no actual measures have been adopted yet. Last weekend 54 migrants were rejected by Austria, while 154 were rejected by Slovenia. Foto: EPA

The Interior Ministry Secretary of State Boštjan Šefic said that the decision of Austria was understandable. Austria is facing strong pressure by migrants on one hand, and German restrictions on the other hand. "Austria is considering all the options for managing the situation, and for that purpose last week they exacerbated criteria for entering the country," Šefic said and added that those migrants coming from the safe countries and thus using the flow of migrants were being excluded.

"It is about precisely establishing intention of individuals, based on conversations and all available information. We also define the country of origin, and whether the individual is entitled to international aid," Šefic explained. He said that the cooperation with all the countries in preparation of further measures, and possible exacerbation of conditions for entering the country, was excellent. Austria should, according to Šefic, today communicate certain information regarding further measures. "The measures they decide on are of course an autonomous decision by Austria," Šefic added and emphasized that Slovenia will make also its own autonomous decisions, in order to avoid becoming a »refugee pocket«.

The numbers of rejected refugees still manageable
Thus Austria last weekend refused 54 migrants who are presently accommodated in the Aliens Centre, while 154 migrants were returned by Slovenia to Croatia, Šefic explained. According to him the numbers are manageable. He also said that none of the rejections is final yet.
Regarding the accommodation centres for migrants Šefic claims that no final decisions have been made, as the Ministry is constantly receiving new proposal for their location. "In those centres people would remain no more than 14 hours, and not for days or even months," Šefic explained and stressed that at choosing the locations also the local communities would participate. He criticized the untrue and misleading media reports that the government had already decided on the location, and that a water distribution system is already being installed in Kidričevo. "Such false statements are making our work extremely difficult."

L. L.
Translated by G. K.