Austria has stated that the potential forced deportation of Syrian refugees to their homeland can only occur when the security situation allows it. This was revealed in an interview with Reuters by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
According to Schallenberg, it is currently impossible to predict a timeline for deciding on the return of Syrian refugees.
The minister clarified his government’s position following remarks by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, called for a reassessment of Syria’s security situation to enable the repatriation of refugees.
“It is the most normal and sensible thing in the world to say that when it is possible, we will do it immediately. I don’t know (when). Can you see into the future?” Schallenberg remarked.
He added that understanding the situation in Syria will take time.
“The worst-case scenario is, of course, the development of a failed state, so to speak, which cannot be governed in reality. A Libya 2.0, if you like. We will have to watch that closely,” Schallenberg concluded.
On Monday, Austrian authorities ordered a suspension of asylum applications by Syrians following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. Germany and several other countries have also announced the suspension of asylum applications by Syrian refugees.
