Just a "misunderstanding". This is how the Austrian chancellor, Christian Kern, branded Austria's threat to use the army to garrison the Brenner pass if the flow of migrants from Italy is not interrupted. The vexed question of migrants is once again worrying Europe, so much so that yesterday, 4 July, the green light came from Brussels for a series of measures to deal with the emergency.
The threat from Austria, which had already blocked the wave of migrants during the summer of 2015, required diplomatic intervention, so much so that the Farnesina summoned the Austrian ambassador to Rome.
The migrant emergency remains a burning and urgent issue especially in Italy, due to the 12 landings recorded last week, but the course correction by the Austrian government seems to throw water on the fire.
"Misunderstandings such as those that have arisen with Italy need to be clarified," Kern said in a joint press conference with Austrian Defense Minister Doskozil, who had been the first to fear the army's threat at the Brenner Pass.
Chancellor Kern added that Austria is preparing to introduce controls at the Brenner Pass in the event of an increase in migrant arrivals, but that at the moment they are not necessary.
"We are not deploying armored vehicles at the Brenner Pass and I repeat that the collaboration with Italy is really good," Kern said, adding that there are no elements to say that Italy does not have the situation under control.
