Europe must not depend on Turkey - Austrian FM

Europe must not depend on Turkey - Austrian FM

"Relations between Serbia and Austria are excellent and I maintain a good relationship with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic - Serbia is a stronghold of stability in the Western Balkans and a significant partner for us in the region," Kurz said.

Speaking about the migrant crisis, the Austrian minister said that Europe "must be capable of deciding on its own" whom to accept, and that it must not be "prone to blackmail, or depend on neighbors such as Turkey."

He stressed that his country received 90,000 asylum requests last year and 20,000 so far this year, and that if Italian government measures fail to be effective, Vienna will have to act in order to protect itself from "overload."

Europe "needs Plan A," he continued, along with the strengthening of safety of its external borders.

Kurz spoke in favor of offering greater assistance "at the site" to give migrants perspective in their countries of origin, and at the same time, through migration programs, have a policy of targeted acceptance persons who are "most vulnerable, and truly persecuted."

Kurz also noted that he is very grateful to the countries along the Balkan migrant route - Macedonia and Serbia in particular, as well as Slovenia and Croatia - for their support for the closing the route, whereby Austria is protected from becoming overburdened by the influx of migrants.

Now it is about closing alternative routes - such as the Mediterranean route across Libya - as well, he said.