Regardless of whether it is about Ukraine, Russia or even the conflict between Israel and Hamas, in EU circles there is an impression that the two countries are singing on the same page, writes Politico, which is quoted by Rador Radio Romania.

A surefire way to scare an Austrian is to mention the upcoming Austria-Hungary football match and then ask who the opponent is.

Today, for many in Brussels, the answer is obvious: the EU. Regardless of whether it is about Ukraine, Russia or even the conflict with Israel and Hamas, the impression in EU circles is that the two countries are playing to the same tune.

“This is typical Austrian behavior,” an EU diplomat told Politico, insisting on anonymity to criticize the European ally. “Be under no illusions: this is a dualistic monarchy rising from the grave.”

In the context, when Hungary took hostage both EU aid in the amount of 50 billion euros to Kyiv and Ukraine’s accession to the EU, Vienna is using the situation to pursue its own interests behind the scenes, ignoring the acuteness of the Ukrainian problem, blaming critical voices.

Austria’s recent attack on Ukraine follows a familiar pattern of using its neutrality to curry favor with Moscow while claiming to be part of the Western camp, a tactic that Viktor Orbán has also mastered (even though Hungary is not neutral).

Austria’s stubborn reputation in Brussels has been damaged by the years-long blockade of Bulgaria and Romania in their attempts to enter the Schengen area. Even Hungary supports the accession of the two countries.

Austria, which operates without regard for the rules and is often in cahoots with Hungary, is a frightening prospect for many in Brussels. First, Austria is traditionally a member of the Western European club and, despite causing trouble from time to time, is a country that can generally be counted on to support the liberal consensus.

Second, despite having the same number of inhabitants in the two countries, Austria’s economy is about three times larger than Hungary’s, giving it more influence.

Neighbors, not friends

It is often the case that EU officials attribute to their Austrian counterparts a natural arrogance that only feeds the stereotype that Vienna has not even now realized that its imperial days are long gone.

Even if it is tempting to think that Vienna, intoxicated by the self-delusion of the “imperial and monarchical” splendor of the Habsburg Empire, seeks to revive its cooperation with the Hungarians, which found its end in the ashes of the First World War. , Europe’s fears about the restoration of Austria-Hungary are still unwarranted given the reality on the ground, at least for the time being.

Austrian politicians privately resent being compared to the Hungarian ruler, whom they see as authoritarian. “We’re trying to get along with Orbán because he’s our neighbor, but that doesn’t mean we like him,” said an Austrian official who often deals with Budapest.

There is, for example, constant tension between the two countries over migration. Vienna suspects Hungary of facilitating transit to Austria for emigrants who arrived on its territory without official registration, so that they would not be sent back, as required by EU rules.

Balkan ghosts

The real reason why Austria suddenly made noise in Brussels about Ukraine is actually related to Bosnia and Herzegovina. If the EU starts accession talks with Ukraine, Austria wants to include Bosnia, with which it has long-standing economic and political ties.

“We want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU family,” Austrian European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler said in Sarajevo this month, arguing that the country’s entry is a “geopolitical necessity.”

Given Austria’s proximity to the region, easing tensions in the former Yugoslavia has long been one of Vienna’s foreign policy priorities.

Austria has been stationing its troops there for decades as part of UN peacekeeping missions. Vienna is convinced that the best way to achieve lasting peace in the region, as well as to neutralize the constant influence of Russia in this region, is to bring the Western Balkans under the wing of the EU.

The EU has declared Bosnia a candidate country at the end of 2022, but the Commission has explained that Bosnia must first correct its backsliding on the rule of law before accession talks can begin. With Ukraine’s accession high on the agenda of the European Council this week, Austria took the opportunity to push Bosnia out of the loop as well.

“We have no intention of standing in the way of Ukraine’s accession,” insisted the Austrian official, adding that it would be tantamount to “putting ourselves in the path of a train.”

Austria’s only interest, the official says, is to sneak Bosnia “at the end of the same train.”

Which should quiet the voices in Brussels who criticize Austria.

And yet, if we talk about the political direction of Austria in general, there are many reasons for concern. Elections will be held in the country in autumn. The Eurosceptic Freedom Party, modeled after Orbán’s Hungary, leads the polls by a comfortable margin.

Its head, Herbert Kickl, during a recent visit to Budapest, called Hungary a “refuge of national self-determination and resistance to globalist intervention from Brussels.”

Despite the birth of a far-right fraternity between Kickl and Orbán, Europe can take solace in the fact that Austro-Hungarian collaboration never stood the test of time. The last attempt lasted only about 50 years.

Article by Matthew Karnicnig, Politico (adapted from Rador Radio Romania)