Austria, Slovenia considering border fences amid migrant crisis
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 October 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Austria, Slovenia considering border fences amid migrant crisis, 28 October 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56813cbbc.html [accessed 18 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 28, 2015
Austria says it will begin building "technical barriers" to control the flow of migrants into the country from neighboring Slovenia.
Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told parliament on October 28 that construction of the fence would begin in about 10 days. She insisted, however, that there are no plans "to build a fence around Austria."
Slovenia said on the same day that it is also preparing to build a border fence. Prime Minister Miro Cerar told a security council meeting that, "if necessary, we are ready to put up the fence immediately."
In the past, Vienna has harshly criticized the building of border fences as a solution to the current migrant crisis. However, Austria's efforts to handle the influx of migrants have been complicated by recent moves by Germany – the desired destination country for many migrants – to slow the flow of migrants from Austria.
Mikl-Leitner said Austria is struggling "because Germany is taking too few" migrants.
More than 700,000 migrants – most of them fleeing poverty and violence in Syria, Afghanistan, and Africa, have entered Europe so far this year.
Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
