UK's Plan to Send Migrants to Rwanda May be Copied by Austria, as Home Secretary Signs Cooperation Pact

Austria Looks to Britain for Inspiration

Austria is considering adopting a similar plan to the UK's controversial scheme to send migrants to Rwanda. The country's interior minister, Gerhard Karner, met with Home Secretary Suella Braverman to discuss the possibility of using "safe third countries" to alleviate the pressure of mass illegal migration. The Austrian government expressed a desire to learn from Britain's experience in processing asylum applications outside of Europe, with Karner stating that Austria can benefit from this knowledge.

Pending Supreme Court Judgment

Meanwhile, the UK awaits a ruling from the Supreme Court on the legality of its Rwanda scheme. Ministers are expecting a judgment within the next few weeks, which will determine the fate of the controversial initiative.

Tackling Serious Crime and Cyber Security

During the meeting, the UK and Austria also agreed to collaborate on various other issues. They pledged to work together to combat serious and organized crime, boost cyber security measures, and prevent online radicalization.

Addressing the Migration Crisis

Home Secretary Suella Braverman stressed the need to address the migration crisis, which she believes is placing an unprecedented burden on communities and public services. She praised Austria as a close ally in tackling illegal migration and expressed her eagerness to share knowledge and strategies, such as third-country removals.

Similar Plans in Germany and Denmark

The UK and Austria are not the only countries considering offshore processing of asylum-seekers. Germany's Free Democrats, one of the parties in the coalition government, has expressed support for similar measures. Additionally, Denmark aims to relocate migrants to a country outside of the EU.

Overall, these developments indicate a growing interest among European nations in exploring alternative solutions to manage the challenges posed by illegal migration.