A call between Austria and Syria before the New Year to discuss deportation and security cooperation
Austria and Syria have resumed high-level communications as part of Vienna's efforts to expedite the deportation of Syrian citizens convicted of crimes, along with expanding security cooperation between the two sides, according to official statements from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed that he had a phone call with Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab at the end of the year, during which they discussed the next steps for the deportation of convicted Syrians from Austria to Syria, as well as enhancing coordination on security issues.
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior stated that the communication addressed the evaluation of the deportation operations carried out over the past months, and ways to expedite procedures and improve the legal and regulatory frameworks associated with them, confirming that Austria's policy in this regard continues without any change or leniency.
The two sides also discussed preparations for holding a joint meeting of experts inside Syria, aimed at coordinating the technical and legal procedures related to future deportation operations. The possibility of cooperation in training Syrian police leaders was also addressed, either directly or through joint programs with Jordanian security agencies.
Austria is already participating in joint training programs in Jordan alongside the Jordanian police, aiming to support the rebuilding of Syrian security capacities, especially in the field of vocational training for the police and building security institutions.
Karner emphasized that the deportation of convicted Syrians will continue without any leniency, considering that these measures are necessary to protect Austria's internal security. This comes amid ongoing political debate in Austria and Europe regarding asylum and deportation policies, especially after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.