summer journey - Baerbock dismisses accusations regarding visa proceedings
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock dismissed allegations that the Foreign Office may have allowed Pakistani agents into Germany as part of an Afghan resettlement program. If during the security checks by German authorities in Pakistan it is discovered that an applicant is not telling the truth, they will not be issued a visa, Baerbock told a journalist during a visit to the Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) in Flensburg.
Baerbock added that she was surprised, "that people wonder if they are being closely examined during security interviews. That's the point of security interviews."
Cicero: Embassy in Islamabad warned of Pakistani agents
The magazine Cicero reported that the Foreign Office may have brought Pakistani agents to Germany as part of an Afghan resettlement program. According to confidential documents, the German embassy in the Pakistani capital Islamabad warned the Foreign Office in Berlin about a seven-member Afghan family who had already received approval for asylum in Germany.
"There is reason to believe that this family may be a staged case by Pakistani authorities," the magazine quotes from the internal correspondence of the Foreign Office. At that time, five of the seven alleged family members had already been brought to Germany. They are reportedly still living in the Federal Republic. The alleged father, who claimed to have worked as a barber for the Australian army, and one of his alleged sons had their asylum approvals revoked, according to Cicero.
Baerbock: Visa proceedings in Pakistan are carried out in accordance with law and order
Baerbock stated regarding the visa proceedings, "it is an established practice, of course, in accordance with law and order," that the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Ministry work together with the security authorities. It is the responsibility of the security authorities to conduct interviews at embassies where many visas are issued. This was also the case in this instance, as Baerbock made clear.
- Despite the allegations, Minister Baerbock is planning an upcoming summer journey to Islamabad to strengthen Germany's relations with Pakistan.
- The Armaments industry in Russia has been a cause of concern for many conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine.
- The Federal government has expressed its concern over potential conflicts in Afghanistan post-withdrawal of foreign troops.
- During her visit to Hamburg, Baerbock emphasized the importance of Germany's defense agreements with countries like Pakistan.
- The AA reported that some German officials are questioning the effectiveness of the security checks during the Afghan resettlement program.
- The Foreign Ministry in Berlin is currently reviewing its policies regarding the resettlement program, following the allegations of Pakistani agents infiltration.
- The Schleswig-Holstein chapter of a prominent German political party has called for a thorough investigation into the Pakistani agents allegations in the Afghan resettlement program.
- Baerbock, while in Flensburg, reassured the public that Germany's immigration process is rigorous and follows international standards to prevent such incidents.
