Your Excellencies, Honorable Delegates, Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In September of 2015, the Republic of Austria and the Federal

Republic of Germany took one of the most crucial decisions of
Europe's refugee crisis by opening their borders to the emerging
migrants in Hungary.
In September of 2015, two neighbors known to have shared a
tumultuous history started working together to prevent the unfolding
of a humanitarian catastrophe.

As an old postbellum poem goes: In the fell clutch of circumstance,

and under the buldgeonings of chance the Austrian people have
promoted solidarity above all, extending a helping hand subsequent
to the collaborative stipulation between the EU countries.

As the European Union grapples with the crisis of primarily Middle

Eastern refugees, and economic migrants, the Republic of Austria
contributes to the European cause by accepting 37,500 asylum-
seekers this year, after having previously sheltered 90.000 in 2015.
Amongst these, only 80 shall be granted asylum in Austria.

The national borders control of numerous countries has been goaded

past endurance throughout this entire demotic chaos, needless to say
the hubbub did not subside.
Consequently, certain measures must be immediately adopted by the
coalition states.

As a last point of transit before Germany, the Republic of Austria is

perpetually under the mounting pressure to limit the influx of
refugees, and stem the inflow of illegal immigrants. In the hopes of
preserving the Schengen Agreement intact, we must reduce the
number of arrivals, intensify border control regulations and pursue
together an incumbent solution to a tantamount predicament.

These are restless times for all of us from the people forced to
bear slander and live in squalid conditions to the war-driven
expatriates of Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

One country can not shoulder this burden alone. We must not
barrage ourselves in closures of ignorance, but take action for the
better good of Europe and for the better good of all human beings.

Last but not least, the Republic of Austria is in favour of a joint EU

resolution.

Thank you.