Vienna – On Tuesday, Austria announced an extension of border controls with both the Czech Republic and Slovakia for an additional six months. The Austrian Ministry of the Interior cited the need to combat smuggling activities as a key reason for the continuation of these measures. Additionally, police are currently assisting health authorities at the borders with Slovakia and Hungary in efforts to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
As a precaution against the disease, several border crossings to Slovakia and Hungary have been temporarily shut down. Since autumn 2015, border controls have been in place at crossings to Hungary and Slovenia. Under Operation Fox, approximately 40 Austrian police officers are actively working to tackle cross-border crime in Hungary. Furthermore, Austrian forces are deployed in Serbia and Hungary to fight against smuggling activities.
Ten Schengen countries are currently conducting internal border controls.
The Austrian border checks are being conducted both at fixed crossing points and through mobile units in the border region. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) emphasized the significance of these controls in addressing illegal migration, stating, “Border controls are critical in the fight against illegal migration. Our measures have significantly reduced illegal immigration, with the goal of ultimately eliminating it.” The ministry noted a marked decline in apprehensions in the Balkan area over the past 18 months, suggesting that the smuggling networks are steering clear of Austria due to the extensive measures implemented.
In a statement on Wednesday, FPÖ security spokesperson and National Council member, Gernot Darmann criticized Karner’s migration approach, referring to it as “his loser traffic light.” He argued that the ÖVP’s announcement to extend border controls is “far from adequate,” and called for comprehensive border protection measures, as well as an immediate halt to asylum applications, citing ongoing influxes of asylum seekers who then rely on social support systems.
Currently, ten EU and Schengen nations are conducting internal border controls, including Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, and Slovenia. (16.03.2025)
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