Italian Minister Slams Austria's Plan for Anti-Migrant Fence as 'Senseless'

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, Austrian media reported, citing federal state police, that Austria was planning to construct a fence of up to 400 meters (some 1,300 feet) in height at the Brenner Pass in the Alps, on its border with Italy, as the country was seeking to prevent the arrival of undocumented migrants.

"This is not only against the EU rules on free movement but it is against logic and common sense <…> Our job is to convince our Austrian partners of the senselessness of their behavior," Alfano told Canale 5 television channel.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi immediately condemned the move, deeming it a "blatant violation" of European law.

Moreover, the Austrian Parliament passed, on Wednesday, an amendment package to the country's asylum legislation, allowing for the introduction of a state of emergency should there be an extraordinary influx of refugees, as well as allowing for asylum applications to be rejected at the border.

Earlier in April, the European Commission sent a letter to Vienna demanding an explanation for the construction of a new border-control post at the Brenner Pass. The Commission said it was "very concerned" about the move, as it could represent a violation of the Schengen Agreement.