Nearly 80 Syrians have voluntarily left Austria

VIENNA, Feb.8, (ST)-Yesterday, Federal Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), announced a deportation program and the suspension of asylum applications for Syrians.

“Nearly 80 Syrians have voluntarily left Austria…..The Federal Care and Support Agency (BBU) has conducted around 440 counseling sessions with Syrians to support them in organizing their return. If they leave voluntarily, Syrians receive up to 1,000 euros, but with permanent return, the protection status is revoked,” according to a press release published by VIENNA.AT website.

Ongoing asylum procedures for Syrian citizens would also continue to be suspended, according to Karner. “Syria now needs its citizens to be rebuilt.” He insisted that asylum is only temporary protection, which cannot be granted if there are no reasons for it.

A voluntary return of refugees is the most cost-effective for taxpayers and is therefore being promoted, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

Basma Qaddour