Austrian politicians always talk in Brussels about solidarity, unity and strategic patience. But our patience is not unlimited, – said the Ambassador of Romania to Austria, Emil Hurezianu, in an interview with the Austrian publication Profil.

Below is an interview with the Ambassador of Romania:

PROFILE: How do you explain Austria’s opposition to Romania’s accession?

KHUREZIANU: Austrians claim that thousands of illegal migrants enter Europe through Romania. This is not true, in Romania it was less than two percent. There were speculations: on what basis were Romania and Bulgaria rejected, but not Croatia?

PROFILE: What do you think?

KHUREZIANU: Maybe Austrians like Croatia more. They rest there. I understand that they are trying to mobilize as many voters as possible before some regional elections. But did the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) win the election in Lower Austria because of a tougher migration policy? No!

PROFILE: Several events have happened since then. At what stage are the negotiations now?

Khurezyanu: Several bilateral meetings have taken place since then, but we do not hear anything concrete from the political and diplomatic sphere. We would be very happy if Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and European Affairs Minister Caroline Edtstadler would show more commitment in their discussions with us. We know that many politicians here do not approve of this decision. The Vice-Chancellor, the Mayor of Vienna, ecologists and representatives of Neo. Everyone is waiting to hear the voice of the Federal Chancellor. But this is to be expected.

PROFILE: How long do you think it lasts?

Khurezyanu: I understand that Mr. Chancellor has to preserve his image. In any case, at the end of January he confirmed that the right of veto remains. What statesman will say two months later that it was just a joke, and now we support entry? Austrian politicians always talk in Brussels about solidarity, unity and strategic patience. But our patience is not infinite. We don’t want to wait another two or three years. We need a concrete plan.

PROFILE: What would it look like?

KHUREZIANU: Leaving behind the anger and emotions present after the veto. But we do not want to wait for the Schengen area to be reformed at the EU level. We are ready to cooperate as partners. It is possible to create a new center on the Serbian border to send refugees back. But if Minister Karner comes to us and tells us, as in Bulgaria, that you must build a border fence in this very place, we will not be full of enthusiasm. We want to be treated as equal partners. We also want to say that there is still an opportunity this year.

PROFILE: Does this mean you expect an announcement this year?

KHUREZIANU: Yes, before the declaration in June, and in the second semester before a concrete decision. Next year will be very difficult. Elections will be held everywhere – at the EU level, in Austria, in Romania. We are in dire straits because of the war, rising prices, and the veto. We will face intense populism both in Romania and in other parts of Europe.

The material was created with the help of the Rador agency