CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 02/2018

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
„Österreich war,
ist und wird immer
Brückenbauer sein.“
“Austria has been,
is and will always be
a builder of bridges.“
be around 300 planned council events in Austria and
130 at the Austria Centre Vienna. On 19 June, the
Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament
will also be hosted by Vienna. It goes without
saying that it is also important to connect on a political
level.
You are also responsible for a cultural framework that
Austria’s EU Presidency is set to accompany. What are going
to be the highlights and the most significant offers here?
The Austrian Council Presidency is an opportunity
for us to further cement Austria’s reputation as
an art and culture nation. There aren’t many areas
where Austria leads the world – but art & culture is
certainly one of them.
The cultural framework will cover a broad spectrum
of various themes: from music to the visual and
the performance arts. Special highlights will be the
concert by the Vienna Philharmonic in Brussels and
the Belvedere exhibition “Beyond Klimt. New Horizons
in Central Europe 1914-1938“ at the Palais des
Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles (BOZAR).
Bundesminister Gernot Blümel startete sein Arbeitsjahr diesen
Jänner mit einer Reise nach Brüssel, im Bild beim Presse-Statement.
Federal Minister Gernot Blümel started his working year with a trip to
Brussels this January, pictured while the press statement.
During the Austrian EU Presidency, we will see the Brexit negotiations
as well as the negotiations pertaining to the Multiannual
Financial Framework from 2021 to 2027. What inputs
and contributions will Austria make concerning these two
subjects?
In terms of Brexit, we can absolutely not let any
divisions arise among us. As the EU27, we have EU
Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on our side to represent
our interests. Nobody can say how exactly
the negotiations are going to play out. Good progress
has been made, however, there are still several obstacles
left, such as the border between Ireland and
Northern Ireland.
The Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU,
which will determine the EU’s focus for the next seven
years, is an additional important subject, and
will likely pose as a special challenge, particularly
during our EU Council Presidency. The approach of
assuming that the gap created through Brexit can
simply be plugged is not shared by Austria. This current
period of upheaval provides the opportunity to
make savings both in terms of the system as well as
the structure.
This is Austria’s view, which we are already discussing
with all the remaining net contributors. Subsequently,
we will look for a joint solution among the
EU27.
Austria is considered a supporter of the Western Balkan
countries in regard to their EU membership accession. To
what extent and through what measures will Austria give
support to the countries of the Western Balkans on their path
toward EU accession?
What is important is that the countries of the
Western Balkans are offered a realistic chance for
membership. EU Commissioner Hahn sees 2025 as a
realistic and optimistic guide. Austria is going to
continue to support these countries in their rapprochement.
If the Austrian population sees this rapprochement
process as a positive factor in terms of the
rule of law, competitiveness and freedom of expression,
then I don’t see any obstacles.
Has Austria’s image as a diplomatic stage and centre for
negotiation been weakened by the failed Syria initiative? And
to what extent can the EU Presidency contribute to
improving the situation, especially in regard to Vienna as a
headquarter city, as it didn’t do particularly well when it
came to the applications to host EMA and EBA?
Austria has been, is and will always be a builder of
bridges, for we always strive for dialogue with everyone
first. Additionally, we will, once again, be a hub
for dialogue during our Council Presidency. As per
current planning, 13 informal councils of ministers
are set to take place across Austria. In total, there will
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78 Cercle Diplomatique 2/2018