Austrian chancellor: UK 'pioneer' in tackling illegal migration

       Rishi Sunak received a major boost this morning as a key European ally heaped praise on the UK for pioneering the Rwanda deportation policy - and called on the EU to follow in Britain's footsteps.

       The Prime Minister is in Austria this morning meeting Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who made the important remarks at a Vienna press conference.

       Mr Nehammer told reporters: "Asylum proceedings should happen in safe third countries. The UK is therefore a pioneer for this model - a model that will be important for Europe as well.

       "The Rwanda model will be a solution for us to have asylum proceedings in safe third countries and that's something we need to put on the EU's agenda as well.

       "Only if we manage to do that can we battle organised crime and destroy their business model. Asylum proceedings in safe third countries means the business model of promising people to get them within the borders of the EU or UK no longer applies, that promise can no longer be made if we have such procedures.

       READ MORE: Europe follows Britain’s lead! EU leaders move to copy Rwanda-type deals [LATEST]

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       The Austrian Chancellor heaped praise on the UK's leadership in tackling the migrant crisis (Image: Getty)

       “Asylum proceedings in safe third countries means the business model of promising people to get them within the borders of the EU or UK no longer applies, that promise can no longer be made if we have such procedures.

       "On the other hand, we will be able to save human lives because having asylum proceedings in safe third countries means that we don't have dangerous smuggling routes, it means putting an end to death in the Mediterranean or English Channel.”

       He announced that as many as 15 European states are now allied to Austria in pushing this new model of dealing with asylum seekers, including Denmark, and praised their partnership with the UK.

       Mr Nehammer voiced hope that he and the UK will be successful in creating change across Europe, emphatically announcing Austria "supports the British path and British model", adding that it is not just "important" but “essential".

       In return, Mr Sunak lauded Austria as an "important partner and important friend" for the UK. The PM congratulated the Austrian Chancellor for his leadership.

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       The vocal support is a huge boost for Mr Sunak (Image: Getty)

       Today's joint statement between Austria and the UK will commit both parties to deepening co-operation on ending the "vile trade" in human life, and sees agreement that "business as usual won't solve this problem".

       Mr Sunak highlighted the Chancellor's words that "many other countries now agree that that is the approach that is required".

       The support for the UK’s deportation policy comes as both the EU and Germany look on course to follow in Britain’s footsteps.

       In a presidential debate this month ahead of the European elections, Ursula von der Leyen - who is on course to be re-elected European Commission President - championed her policy of seeking third-country investment and migration deals with African countries like Tunisia and Egypt.

       The centre-Right candidate, who is running for a second term, pronounced: “We Europeans are the ones who decide who comes to the European Union and under what circumstances”.

       Ursula von der Leyen's party also wants third-country agreements with Africa, similar to Rwanda (Image: Getty)

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       Her party’s manifesto pledges “control over migration” and a “halt to uncontrolled migration”.

       It also calls for “stronger external borders” and demands a “fundamental change in European asylum law” to allow member states and the EU to have the “right to decide” who can enter.

       In Germany, Angela Merkel’s former party - the centre-Right CDU - has similarly said it should copy Britain’s Rwanda policy to deter asylum seekers.

       Friedrich Merz, who is currently ahead in the polls, said he is “firmly convinced” that the Rwanda approach will work.

       He added it is “something we could emulate” and would be “a signal that we’re just not going to accept everybody here”.

       “The mere prospect that you won’t end up in the promised land of Germany, and that you’ll have to apply for asylum in a third country - say Albania, if you’re trying to get into Italy, or Rwanda if you’re aiming for the UK - will reduce the number of asylum-seekers," he said.

       “It is clearly going to deter people, especially young men making their way to Europe who have no real prospect of being granted asylum.”

       Labour maintains it will scrap the Rwanda policy altogether should it win the election.

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