Migrant checks on Milan trains needed, says party chief

In 2015, 5,417 asylum requests (13.7% of Swiss total) were made at the Chiasso asylum registration centre according the migration office (SEM) Keystone

The president of the conservative right Swiss People’s Party Albert Rösti, has called for discussions with Italy over the possibility of having Swiss border guards check trains in Milan for illegal migrants. 

In an interview published in the French language paper Le Matin Dimanche on Sunday, the new head of Switzerland’s strongest political party said that “it was the only means to ensure that the Schengen External linkand Dublin External linkagreements were really respected”. 

According to Rösti, around 85% of illegal migrants arrive in country on trains between the Italian city of Milan and Chiasso in southern Switzerland. 

“We could negotiate with Italy to find a solution: Swiss border guards could check the trains in Milan. They could even ensure that clandestine travellers disembark,” he said. 

The conservative politician said that regular border checks are needed and the use of the army to reinforce manpower on the Swiss border should not be excluded. 

“I am not talking about Syrian refugees,” said Rösti. 

According to him, such measures would send a strong message to economic migrants and people smugglers.