Austria moves to ‘plan B’, defies EU-wide solution to refugee crisis / Austrian cap on asylum-seekers infuriates Commission

Austria announced on 16 February 2016 it would step up controls along its southern borders, further distancing itself from an EU-wide solution to the migration crisis.

The measures were set to be implemented at 12 existing checkpoints along frontiers with Italy, Slovenia and Hungary to slow down the influx and were met with criticism by Germany.

Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said on the 17 February 2016 that the country would cap the daily number of asylum claims at 80. In addition, the daily number of people crossing Austria to seek asylum in a neighbouring country would be limited to 3,200. The measures took effect from the 19 February 2016.

In a letter sent on the 18 February 2016 the European Commission urged Austria to reconsider its plans to limit asylum claims which it warned would be 'plainly incompatible' with European Union laws.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Austria asks Commission for €600 million to cover refugee costs http://www.europeansources.info/record/austria-asks-commission-for-e600-million-to-cover-refugee-costs/

ESO: Background information: Austria ‘temporarily’ suspends Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/austria-temporarily-suspends-schengen-austria-to-repatriate-50000-asylum-seekers-over-three-years/

The Local.at, 17.02.16: Austria expects Germany to follow border clampdown http://www.thelocal.at/20160217/austria-expects-germany-to-follow-migrant-border-clampdown

Swissinfo.ch, 16.02.16: Austria plans quota as part of 'domino effect' to slow migrants http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/austria-to-strengthen-border-checks-to-channel-migrant-flow/41964120

The Local.at, 12.02.16: Austria warns over border closures http://www.thelocal.at/20160212/austria-warns-over-border-closures

Balkan Insight, 10.02.16: Austria Tells Balkans to Curb Refugee Flow http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/balkan-countries-readying-for-the-reduction-of-influx-of-refugees-02-09-2016

EurActiv, 17.02.16: Austria sets asylum limit as Eastern Europe hikes pressure http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/austria-sets-asylum-limit-as-eastern-europe-hikes-pressure/

Politico, 17.02.16: Austrian leader says Germany will copy its refugee policy http://www.politico.eu/article/austrian-werner-faymann-leader-says-germany-will-copy-its-refugee-policy/

BBC News, 17.02.16: Migrant crisis: Austria sets asylum claims cap and transit limit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35600220

The Local.at, 18.02.16: EC asks Austria to reconsider asylum cap http://www.thelocal.at/20160218/ec-asks-austria-to-reconsider-restrictions

EUObserver, 18.02.16: EU upset by Austria's asylum 'provocation' https://euobserver.com/migration/132336

EurActiv, 19.02.16: Austrian cap on asylum-seekers infuriates Commission http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/austrian-cap-on-asylum-seekers-infuriates-commission/

Politico, 19.02.16: Austrian migrant cap bogs down EU summit http://www.politico.eu/article/austria-defiant-on-migrant-cap-refugees-summit/

EUObserver, 19.02.16: Austria implements migrant cap despite EU anger http://www.thelocal.at/20160219/austria-launches-migrant-cap-despite-eu-anger

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.16: Against the law? Austria goes ahead with asylum cap http://dw.com/p/1HynU

The Local.at, 21.02.16: Troops prepare for trouble at asylum border http://www.thelocal.at/20160221/troops-prepare-for-trouble-at-asylum-border

The Local.at, 20.02.16: Minister rejects EC critics over caps http://www.thelocal.at/20160220/minister-rejects-ec-critics-over-caps

EurActiv, 24.02.16: Austria buries hope for EU response to refugee crisis http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/austria-buries-hopes-for-eu-response-to-the-migration-crisis/

---