Austria to withdraw 200 police from border duties following Balkans route closure. The gradual closure of the Balkans route is running on schedule.

The Austrian interior ministry is to withdraw about 200 police from border protection duties in the current week as a result of tighter border controls along the Balkans migration route.

The APA news agency quoted Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner as saying on Wednesday that these border controls have led to a "massive relief" of the migrant influx at Austria's southern border.

The minister praised the efforts of police in the countries along the route, saying an "alliance of rationality has made a decisive contribution to preserving stability and order for the people of Europe."

"The massive relief has also led to us being able to reduce police force numbers at the southern border for the time being," she added, noting that their redeployment could take place at any time should the need arise.

She also stated that the gradual closure of the Balkans route is running on schedule.

The 200 police officers that will be relieved of border duties have been part of a 300-strong contingent made up of officers from other states that were deployed at the border in the southern states of Carinthia and Styria.
 [Xinhua]
10/3/16