Austria Supports Germany's Tighter Border Controls

Austria has strongly supported Germany’s recent decision to tighten border controls, a move aimed at curbing illegal immigration across Europe.

The endorsement came following a meeting in Vienna on Friday evening between Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and his German counterpart Alexander Dobrindt.

Germany’s new government issued directives last week to increase border checks with all neighboring countries, including Austria. The policy includes the authority to turn away asylum seekers at the border, with exceptions for vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and children.

Austria welcomed the decision, noting a noticeable drop in illegal migrant numbers across the continent. Minister Karner attributed the decline to stricter surveillance at European borders, highlighting the impact of coordinated border security measures.

German Interior Minister Dobrindt stressed that the enhanced controls are aligned with broader European goals to develop a unified migration policy and further reduce unauthorized migration flows. The initiative is seen as part of a continent-wide strategy to reinforce the EU’s external borders and streamline asylum processes.

Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hatmannsdorfer also praised Germany’s tougher immigration stance, signaling wider support for the measures within Austria’s federal government.