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International Migration News - Volume #8 | |
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Austria, Switzerland
The US restored normal relations with Austria in November 2000. The US reduced diplomatic ties in February 2000 after the EU decided to halt official diplomatic meetings in response to Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and his People's Party formed a government coalition with the Freedom Party. Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider met with Pope John Paul II in December 2000 in Rome to deliver a Christmas tree, sparking violent protests which left dozens injured. While in Rome, Haider said that Italy's "overly generous" immigration policies resulted in an influx of foreigners into Austria. Haider continued: "The Schengen Treaty is not working; the problems linked to Schengen will become even more evident on the eve of the EU's enlargement to the east." Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato called Haider's remarks "unacceptable." In a book published by a former police officer, the Freedom Party was accused of paying sympathetic police to dig up information on the party's political opponents. Austrian firms looking for permission to recruit non-EU IT workers, following the path of Germany's green-card program, were told by the government to recruit IT workers in EU member states Finland and Greece. Under current law, about 8,500 non-EU immigrants a year are permitted to enter Austria, but there is no specific quota for IT workers.
Gunther Kern, "Haider slips out of Rome after visit triggered
protests," AFP, December 17, 2000. | |
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