Vienna and Rome together for a common EU asylum policy

"During the chancellor's recent visit to Rome, we emphasized that we really want to work together with our Italian friends, we want a common asylum policy that really works," so that we don't have to face "new migration crises every two to three years whereas the rest of Europe stays on the sidelines to watch this happen." Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said this at the State of the Union in Florence. Europe has shown unity and solidarity in certain circumstances, such as in the war in Ukraine, but not, for example, on the migrant issue, which "is always tackled by the frontline countries," the minister underlined.

"Now, there is a crisis in Italy, but most other countries are waiting on the sidelines. Last year Austria had the highest percentage of asylum seekers per capita in Europe. Now, other countries have to deal with this situation. And next time, it could be Slovakia's or Spain's turn," Schellenberg added.

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