KABUL: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and interior ministers from five European countries have agreed on a series of objectives to tighten asylum laws, including the repatriation of refugees to Afghanistan and Syria. The meeting follows Berlin’s announcement in May regarding the rejection of asylum seekers at borders, a policy implemented in coordination with neighboring countries but met with widespread criticism. During the recent meeting, Dobrindt met with the interior ministers of France, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner. The policy objectives discussed included removing legal barriers that prevent the transfer of rejected asylum seekers to safe centers outside the EU and ensuring that asylum processes are conducted in third countries. The new German government has already initiated measures against immigration, including delaying family reunification and resettlement programs. According to Reuters, these steps are being taken to regain voter support that has shifted towards the far-right “Alternative für Germany” party, which achieved historic success in the February parliamentary elections. In a joint statement, the interior ministers of EU member states emphasized that the repatriation of asylum seekers to Afghanistan and Syria should become a standard procedure. They stated that countries not cooperating in the repatriation of their citizens should face visa restrictions. The document also suggested using trade and development aid as leverage to expedite the return of migrants and strengthen cooperation on migration issues. They further stressed the need to enhance border security through increased drone use and EU funding, and committed to taking serious measures against human trafficking networks.
