Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has praised the United Kingdom for its innovative approach to migration policy, specifically highlighting its plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda. The Chancellor’s comments came as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Vienna on Tuesday.
Nehammer, whose conservative party has taken a hard line on migration, commended the UK as a “pioneer” in outsourcing migrants to countries outside of Europe. He emphasized the importance of conducting asylum proceedings in safe third countries, a strategy that both Austria and the UK are pursuing.
“The United Kingdom is a pioneer for this path, which will also be important for the European Union,” Nehammer stated during a joint news conference with Sunak. He pointed to the UK’s Rwanda model as an example for the EU to consider implementing similar measures.
However, the UK’s controversial bill to deport migrants to Rwanda has faced criticism from human rights activists and advocacy groups. Despite the opposition, Sunak defended the policy as a necessary deterrent to risky English Channel crossings.
“We have to pursue new ideas, solutions, and deterrents – removals to safe third countries – like the UK’s pioneering Rwanda scheme,” Sunak stated. He emphasized the need for bold and novel approaches to address the ongoing migration challenges faced by countries in the EU.
As Austria and the UK continue to collaborate on migration policy, the debate over the ethical implications of deporting migrants to third countries is likely to intensify. The UK’s approach may serve as a model for other EU member states grappling with similar issues.