Security fears: Ukraine’s accession to the EU? The majority of Austrians are against it

Overall, Europeans are “open” to EU expansion into Ukraine, according to the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), which commissioned the survey on Tuesday. However, there are concerns that Ukraine’s accession to the EU could pose economic and security risks to the community and its member states – more so than the accession of candidate countries from the Western Balkans.

45 percent fear negative consequences for safety
45 percent of respondents in six EU countries believe that Ukraine’s accession to the EU would have a “negative impact” on EU security. Only 25 percent expect ‘positive effects’. According to those interviewed, the accession of the Western Balkan countries entails fewer risks.

In Austria, these concerns are even greater: 62 percent of people believe that Ukraine’s accession would have “negative effects” on the Union’s security – compared to 17 percent who expect positive effects. Half of respondents (50 percent) share this assessment in the case of the Western Balkan countries.

The majority does not want new members
There are also differences when it comes to the timing of expansion. According to the survey, the prevailing opinion in Austria, Denmark, Germany and France is that the EU should not admit new member states at this time. In Romania and Poland, on the other hand, there is a clear willingness to expand. The Austrian population represents “the clearest opinion” in this regard: according to the ECFR, the vast majority (53 percent) are in favor of the EU not accepting new members. Only 28 percent in this country favor expansion “at this time.”

Türkiye’s accession to the EU is even more violently rejected
Those surveyed consider Turkey’s possible accession to the EU as even more important than Ukraine’s accession to the EU. 51 percent of respondents in six countries reject Turkey’s accession to the EU. In Austria, rejection of Turkish membership reached 72 percent and the approval rate fell to 12 percent, a national opinion survey shows.

Also, the Europeans are reserved towards Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia as future member states. Looking at the six countries surveyed as a whole, less than 30 percent of respondents support the admission of any of the above countries to the EU. Support for Kosovo’s accession is the lowest (20 percent). In Austria, 41 and 36 percent respectively believe that the Republic of Moldova and Montenegro “should not join”.

“It is important to put arguments on the table”
Austria is a good, reliable partner at the European concert, European Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) emphasized when asked about the investigation in Brussels on Tuesday. It is no wonder that expansion also brought concerns and fears. “Of course the opinion of citizens is important, but from a political perspective it is also important to put the arguments on the table.” You cannot expect that there will always be a lot of approval for everything in advance, says Edtstadler. “Politics also means convincing people and doing what is important and right.”