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Austria’s priorities as it takes European Union helm
BRUSSELS, June 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The divisive issue of migration will
be top of the agenda as Austria’s rightwing government takes over the
rotating presidency of the European Union on Sunday.
“A Europe that protects” is the motto Vienna has chosen for its third
period in the leadership role, which passes between different EU member
states.
The presidency gives Austria the opportunity to chair meetings and set
agendas as the bloc grapples with the continuing migrant influx, management
of its borders and other issues such as Brexit.
As well as migration — which headed Austria’s list of priorities even before
the EU’s summit on refugees this week — Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s
government will have to oversee EU budget negotiations and make progress on
the enlargement of the bloc through the Western Balkans nations.
However, achieving tangible results is expected to be difficult, in part
owing to the start of campaigning for European elections in May 2019, and
also because of the stalling Brexit negotiations with Britain ahead of its
departure in March 2019.
– Migration –
Europe has been plunged into a political crisis in recent weeks after Italy
and Malta both refused to allow a rescue ship carrying hundreds of migrants
to dock. Spain eventually offered it safe port.
Kurz’s government, in alliance with the far-right party FPO, is tough on
migration, calling for a more restrictive EU policy, including increased
protection of the bloc’s external borders.
The Austrian presidency calls for “security” first on its website, saying
tighter borders help the “fight against illegal immigration”.
Reform to the so-called Dublin asylum regulations, which say migrants must
be dealt with by the first country in which they arrive, is also causing
tension between member states.
It is unlikely Austria will be able to resolve the standoff, as Vienna
supports the Visegrad countries of Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and
Slovakia which reject Brussels’ proposal to allocate asylum seekers in times
of crisis.
MORE/MR/ 1050 hrs
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– EU budget –
Another major challenge is progress on negotiations on the EU’s long-term
budget for the period from 2021 to 2027.
Kurz this week repeated his view it was “possible” to reach an agreement
before the European Parliament elections.
However, the negotiations are complicated by proposed cuts to the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP), the largest single area of EU spending and one
dear to major farm producers France and Spain.
And it will also be first time the budget will finance military
capabilities and infrastructure to be used by armies, therefore giving
financial means to a common defence policy.
– Enlargement policy –
Austria, because of its central position in Europe and its history, wants
greater integration of its Western Balkan neighbours into the union.
“This region is part of Europe in terms of economic policy and security and
has proved a reliable partner during the migration crisis,” Vienna said
stressing the importance of “stability”.
On Tuesday, the EU agreed to open negotiations to join the bloc with
Albania and the ex-Yugoslav republic of Macedonia starting in June next year,
provided certain conditions are met.
Austria would have preferred the move to have happened under its
presidency, but France and the Netherlands pushed it through.
Vienna intends to lend a hand to the countries as they move towards joining
the bloc, as well as Serbia and Montenegro, who are less advanced in
negotiations.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1050 hrs