Faeser insists on maintaining border controls.
The new EU asylum system hasn't come into force, so Interior Minister Faeser wants to keep border controls for now. She's also open to the controversial Albania model, which Italy plans to use for processing asylum applications outside its borders.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser won't end temporary internal border controls until the EU's newly designed asylum system becomes active. "We'll keep the controls going till the new EU asylum system with secure external borders is in place," she told "Stern." "This way, we mainly stop the smugglers and their cruel trade." Since October, over 750 human traffickers have been arrested due to increased border checks.
Faeser established mobile controls at Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland following the ascent of refugees' numbers. Austria had them for years. These checks are ongoing till mid-June, and the minister has already said they'd be extended to all German borders during Germany's UEFA European Championship.
New regulations are in the works
Faeser couldn't say when the Common European Asylum Regulation (GEAS) will be in full swing, but encouraged the rapid implementation. "We're starting ours right away," she said.
In late March, the EU settled on a new arrangement for asylum regulations. For the first time, these evaluations would take place at Europe's borders. Rejected migrants might be deported directly from border camps. Even families with children would need to go through these procedures. Although the Federal Government and the Greens had tried, they failed to achieve an exemption. There are concerns about inhumane conditions in these camps.
Supporting the Albania Model
Faeser expressed enthusiasm for the Albania Model, distancing herself from a possible agreement with Rwanda. "I'm intrigued by what Italy's doing together with Albania," she added to "Stern." Italy is aiming to handle asylum processes in Albania as a third country. On the Albanian method, Faeser stated, "That's an innovative approach that I'm discussing with my Italian colleague."
Faeser disagrees with proposals to send refugees to Rwanda like the UK model. She acknowledges being pragmatic about migration issues. "I'm unsure if large-scale asylum procedures could take place in a compact country like Rwanda," Faeser remarked. Faeser also found the UK's situation challenging, "grammatically."
The German administration is in the final stages of reviewing how shared third-country asylum procedures could potentially be lawful. The primary inquiry is: "What country would be ready to house a considerable number of refugees? Which country is committed to their security and would return them if rejected, while adhering to human rights?"
The Albania method is facing scrutiny from human rights groups. They maintain it's similar to the UK model. Italy's plans to erect reception facilities for thousands of migrants in Albania, however, don't violate EU law.
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- Faeser supports Italy's plan to process asylum applications in Albania, considering it an innovative approach.
- Despite the controversial nature of the Albania model, human rights groups have raised concerns about potential inhumane conditions in border camps, especially for families with children.
- Germany is currently evaluating potential third-country partnerships for shared asylum procedures, considering factors such as capacity and commitment to human rights.
Source: www.ntv.de
