Austria opposes the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as it does not agree to an accelerated procedure and believes that “Kyiv should not receive privileges that Bosnia and Herzegovina do not have”, reports the Ukrainian RBC agency, which is quoted by the press service of the Austrian Parliament, where Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg were heard on Tuesday by the European Policy Commission, writes News.ro.

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Nehammer believes that Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova should be offered the prospect of joining the EU “as a sign of solidarity”, but opposes an accelerated procedure.

Thus, Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer told the deputies that he “will not agree to negotiations on the accession of Ukraine under the current conditions.” According to him, “there should be no preferences for Ukraine, at the expense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also currently awaiting the opening of accession negotiations.”

This position was already expressed by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Shallenberg, in an interview given last month to the Financial Times. Oleksandr Shallenberg then asked the EU leaders not to give priority to Ukraine at the expense of the countries of the Western Balkans in terms of joining the EU bloc.

On November 8, the European Commission recommended that the European Council approve the start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

The topic of opening negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova will be included in the agenda of the EU summit on Thursday and Friday. Hungary has already stated that it will oppose the decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, but such a decision requires unanimity. According to media reports, the decision on EU enlargement may be delayed due to Hungary’s opposition.

What Nehhammer and Schallenberg said before the Austrian deputies

In view of the meeting of heads of state and government on December 14-15, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg answered the questions of the deputies of the main committee of the Austrian Parliament on EU issues on Tuesday. The proposal to start accession negotiations with Ukraine caused a heated debate, according to the press release of the Vienna Parliament.

The extremist FPÖ (Freedom Party), which is aware of the electoral momentum against Nehhammer’s conservatives, demanded Austria’s veto against both increasing the EU budget and opening accession talks with Ukraine. In addition, the Austrian government should demand the lifting of sanctions against Russia at the EU level, the FPOe MPs asked, but their option was in the minority, the quoted source said.

Regarding EU enlargement, Carl Nehhammer explained that, from Austria’s point of view, it is an “engine” for reforms in the respective countries. Austria has “always” supported the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU. Now, as a sign of solidarity, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova should also be offered the prospect of accession, said Nehammer, who categorically opposed an “accelerated procedure” for the two states. In addition, he noted, a number of internal EU reforms are necessary if the Union wants to be “fit” for enlargement.

Nehammer and Schallenberg showed that it is generally better to export prosperity and stability than to import instability, especially in the immediate vicinity.

Social Democratic MP Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ) asked Federal Chancellor Nehammer whether Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, had consulted him before recommending the prospect of accession talks with Ukraine. Nehammer denied this. In general, there were no consultations between von der Leyen and the heads of government. Nehammer also replied to FPÖ MPs Petra Steger, Christian Hafeneker and Axel Kassegger that Austria would not agree to accession negotiations with Ukraine under the current conditions. In particular, there should be no favoritism towards Ukraine compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also currently awaiting accession negotiations.

On the other hand, Austria supports sanctions against Russia. Russia’s economy is growing thanks to the transition to a military economy, accompanied by billions of state investments in the defense industry, Nehammer explained. Sanctions in the field of high technologies and relevant weapons systems will be particularly successful.

According to Nehammer, speaking out against Russia is important not only from the point of view of solidarity with Ukraine, but also especially for Austria’s own security.

In response to a question from MP Alois Schroll (SPÖ) about the security of gas supply, Nehhammer said that the gas storage rate is more than 98%. However, this does not change the fact that dependence on Russia must be reduced, which is being sought through negotiations on the import of liquefied gas, on the one hand, and the promotion of renewable energy sources, on the other, the chancellor added.

In general, Austria still responds to the EU in terms of solidarity with Ukraine, but does not violate neutrality, Nehammer explained. This is primarily about financial assistance for the maintenance of the “state as a whole” in Ukraine.

On asylum and migration, Nehammer expressed satisfaction that the “paradigm shift” launched in February had gained momentum. More and more EU member states support the emphasis on strengthening external border protection and cooperation with safe third countries to end the business model of migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean.

Regarding the situation in Israel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Shallenberg, presented the goals that, in his opinion, should be a priority for European policy. In addition to the unconditional and immediate release of the Hamas hostages, Shallenberg considers it a special priority to prevent a “fire” in the region. Given the role of Hezbollah and the increasing number of rocket attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, this danger could not be avoided. Acts of violence by radicalized Israeli settlers will also add “fuel to the fire,” Shallenberg said. In addition, Europe must also do its part to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and draw a clear distinction between Hamas and the civilian population there. However, it is important that “not even one cent” of European aid goes to anti-Semitic propaganda or even to the financing of terrorism, Shallenberg said. As far as funding of non-governmental organizations from the EU budget is concerned, anti-Semitic behavior and statements should also be a clear reason for exclusion, Schallenberg said.

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