Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his government aim to place emphasis on immigration after Austria takes over from Bulgaria as head of the Council of the European Union on the 1st of July. Austria is governed by a coalition made up of conservatives (ÖVP) and the extrême right (FPÖ) following elections in October 2017. In presenting his presidential programme, Sebastian Kurz announced that he wanted to “fight illegal immigration” and “protect the borders” of Europe.
Austria has been advocating, among other things, the strengthening of the European border and coastguard agency, Frontex.
The upcoming summit of European heads of States and Government, to be held in Salzburg in September, will in fact focus on these issues.
Austria’s presidency of the Council will end on the 30th of December. It will be succeded by Romania in the first half of 2019.
The Brussels Times
