Brussels officials warn EU migrant crisis could rage ‘for decades’ as tensions mount at the Italian-Austrian border
Four Austrian tanks and 750 troops sent to Italian border to prevent an influx of illegal immigrants have sparked a diplomatic row between the countries
THE EU migrant crisis will rage on “for decades”, one of the most senior officials in Brussels admitted yesterday.
His comments came as tensions mounted on the border between Italy and Austria over the continuous flood of illegals pouring into Europe from north Africa.
The Sun reported yesterday that the Austrian army has mobilised tanks and troops towards the Brenner Pass.
Vienna has said it is sending four Pandur armoured personnel carriers and has 750 soldiers on standby at a barracks close to nearby Innsbruck airport.
Italian anti-immigration group Northern League plans to stage a demo at the Pass tomorrow to demand Italy “closes all ports to migrants”.
European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans said that many so-called refugees arriving in the bloc are really economic migrants seeking “a better life”.
In his warning to EU leaders, the Dutch official said: “We know many of the people arriving in Italy, when scrutinised, do not have the right to international protection because they don’t flee from war of persecution.
“They seek a better life, which is a noble pursuit, but it does not grant them the right to stay in the European Union.
“I will tell you this; this migration issue will not go away, not today, not tomorrow, not next year, not for a decade, not for two decades.
"This is a global phenomenon that will be with us for generations.”
Locals in the Alpine flashpoint of Brenner Pass are also feeling the strain with one bar owner in Gries am Brenner, just over the border in Austria, telling The Sun: “It is worrying.
“The numbers coming over from north Africa are striking. I just don’t understand where all these people are going to go.
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"We are only a small country of eight million and we are already crowded.
“If these people are fleeing war or famine then maybe I could understand, but when you see them they are mainly young men on their own.
“They are economic migrants and they are happy to work for less than locals and they get hired while locals lose their jobs.
“The other thing you have to think about is the security.
"You just don’t know where these people are from or who they are.
"Look at the attacks we have had in Europe the past few years and it has emerged some terrorists arrived in Europe claiming to be refugees.”
Austria is not alone in looking to tighten its borders. Neighbouring Switzerland, which also shares a frontier with Italy, is also beefing up its crossing points.
Figures show 85,183 migrants have made it to Italy in 2017 — up from 71,279 in the first six months of 2016. The number reaching Spain from Africa has risen from 1,352 to 6,464 over the same periods.
The Brenner Pass has been a focal point for conflict for thousands of years.
Germanic tribes used it to invade Roman territories, the Austrian Empire used it as a trade route, and in 1940 Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini sealed their Pact of Steel there.
And after an unprecedented wave of migrants arriving in Europe from north Africa this year, the area finds itself at the forefront of world affairs once again.
Officials in Italy have accused the Austrian authorities of overreacting and have summoned the ambassador for a dressing down at the Interior Ministry in Rome.
However those over the border in Austria are worried about the possible influx of migrants heading their way. And with elections due in the autumn, immigration is a crunch issue.
SMUGGLERS GUN BATTLE
LIBYAN security forces have been filmed in a gun battle with a gang of people smugglers.
In dramatic footage, migrants can be seen ducking for cover as bullets fly.
Afterwards, dozens of people were seen scrambling to safety from sinking dinghies on to a Libyan navy patrol boat.
The footage emerged as officials revealed more than 100,000 migrants have made their way across the Med from North Africa to Italy. Charities have been accus- ed of providing a “taxi service” for asylum seekers.
Yesterday at the Brenner Pass crossing itself there was a steady stream of tourist traffic and trucks flowing in both directions.
There were no checks taking place as both Italy and Austria are part of the EU’s Schengen free movement of people agreement.
One off-duty Italian squaddie told The Sun: “We have always worked well with the Austrians on migration so there is no need for all this posturing.
"It raises tensions with the locals on both sides who worry about tourists being put off from visiting. The best thing would be for them to calm down and just let things go back to the way they were this time last week.”
But Austria’s Defence Minister Peter Doskozil has said he “expects border controls will be introduced very soon” with the flow of migrants shows no sign of easing. However, Rome has warned that would breach EU rules.
One official said: “We would take a very dim view if Vienna did anything to restrict free movement of people between the two countries.”
Restrictions were introduced across Europe in 2015 and 2016 after similar surges in migrant numbers.
Last year Austria had 31,750 requests for asylum — a 79 per cent rise on the previous year. The number is expected to go up again.
One Italian border officer told us he sees “about 20 people a day” trying to get across to Austria. He added: “Over a year it adds up.”
In his warning yesterday, Mr Timmermans said it would make a “world of difference” if every member state lived up to their commitments to help Italy.
Ukip’s Jane Collins urged the EU to copy Australia in turning boats away if it wants to tackle the crisis.
She said: “Even Bill Clinton spoke out, saying Germany will not be able to handle the huge numbers of migrants waiting to leave Africa and find a better life overseas and neither can the UK, Austria or Sweden.”