Praise for emergency forces

Army and police achieve great things in border operations

Ministers Tanner and Karner expressed their thanks to the emergency services during their Christmas visit to Eisenstadt.(Bild: Judt Reinhard)

The Christmas party in the Martinkaserne was under a good star. The successful fight against smugglers was also highlighted: the number of apprehensions this year is lower than in previous years.

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and State Parliament President Robert Hergovich accepted the official invitation from Military Commander Brigadier Gernot Gasser to the pre-Christmas celebration at the Martinkaserne in Eisenstadt late on Wednesday afternoon. The focus was on 280 soldiers and 250 police officers who are deployed every day to combat illegal migration.

"An important contribution"
"All forces make an enormously important contribution to Austria. Because security for the population has top priority," was the basic message from the high-ranking guests of honor.

5000 seizures this year
The tireless fight against migrant smuggling has been having an effect for months. With the help of targeted measures, the number of apprehensions this year was significantly lower than in previous years, as the Minister of the Interior emphasized. Current data can only confirm this. On average, 300 to 350 refugees are currently registered in Burgenland every week. In 2024, a total of only 5,000 arrests were reported and almost 40 smugglers were arrested.

High praise for the emergency services
In short, the assistance mission is a good example of how a political mandate can be organized and fulfilled by two ministries - based on a division of labour according to their respective competencies - on an equal footing. Thanks to the Armed Forces, the police can also use modern technology such as ground radar or thermal imaging equipment and are relieved of personnel-intensive tasks such as transportation. On the other hand, the executive branch supports the army with drone elements and video surveillance. "The team spirit is exemplary," was the unanimous praise.