Austria must not be open to extortion over migrant influx: chancellor

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern on Monday stressed his country must not allow itself to be "extorted" over the migrant crisis, in reference to threats from Turkey to allow migrants to stream into Europe.

"We must solve tasks by ourselves," he said in comments to the media, Austria Press Agency reported.

Kern said it was important to Austria to be in a position to defend its own borders, such that "we determine who comes to Austria, and not people-smuggling networks."

He said it was important to remain alert, given that it was known that the Balkans migration route was not completely closed. It was also clear that the reasons for the migrant streams would continue to be a concern for years to come.

This means it is important to be prepared, he said. Endit