EU warns Austria that plan to cap asylum seekers is unlawful

February 17, 2016 11:00 pm • Last Updated: February 18, 2016 9:14 am

Austrian defense minister Hans Peter Doskozil, center left, and Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, center right, watch an exercise of police and army soldiers for the protection of the border between Slovenia and Austria in Strass near Spielfeld, southern Austria, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Mikl-Leitner said the country plans to extend border controls to Italy as it plans for possible shifts in migrant inflows to the country. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

BRUSSELS — The EU's top migration official says an Austrian plan to cap asylum-seeker numbers is unlawful.

Dimitris Avramopoulos said in a letter Thursday that "Austria has a legal obligation to accept any asylum application that is made on its territory or at its border."

The letter to Austria's interior minister, seen by The Associated Press, said imposing a ceiling on asylum-seekers "would be plainly incompatible with Austria's obligations" under EU and international law.

Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said Wednesday that Austria would allow no more than 80 migrants a day to apply for asylum at southern border crossing points.

Avramopoulos also warned Mikl-Leitner that Austria should not allow people to travel through the country if their aim is to apply for asylum elsewhere.

Migrants walk between registration tents at the border to Slovenia in Spielfeld, Austria, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. Austria’s interior minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the country plans to extend border controls to Italy as it plans for possible shifts in migrant inflows to the country. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

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