European elections – Edtstadler is toying with a position as a commissioner at the EU

“I am someone who really likes to travel internationally and there are many things imaginable for me, including that. But politics is not a dream concert and that is why we are now going to do everything we can to ensure that we do well in the elections for the elections.” the European Parliament. “We want to use a campaign to reduce Euroscepticism,” said the minister.

“Very concerned” about Euroscepticism
Edtstadler is “very concerned” about the Euroscepticism of Austrians. “Despite all the criticism that is necessary, we should not forget the benefits the EU offers us. Much is taken for granted. That is a shame and that is why I want to work hard next year to emphasize the positive achievements without ignoring the criticism,” says Edtstadler, announcing an initiative.

When it comes to EU enlargement, Edtstadler is very cautious. “When we talk about an EU of more than 33 states, we must say very clearly that the EU would not currently be able to accommodate 6, 8 or 9 additional member states. If we think about admitting countries such as Ukraine or Moldova in the distant future, many things will have to change, including within the EU. And history shows that such processes previously took about ten years. This means that it is high time to make the necessary changes now.” However, the actual admission of Ukraine is still in the distant future.

Ukraine joining a state of war?
“I think it is impossible for a country at war to be admitted to the EU. That’s point one. Secondly, it should be noted that starting accession negotiations does not mean accession to the EU,” the minister emphasizes.

Rather, this is the beginning of “a long, technical process that requires many reform steps in the respective country seeking admission.” Thirdly, you should see that Ukraine has really achieved a lot in the last one and a half to two years and has also shown a great willingness to reform: “The pressure from outside is of course enormous and there is also a desire among its own population “It’s great to get closer to the West,” Edtstadler said.

There is of course an opportunity here to create a legal situation in the course of the accession negotiations in Ukraine that is closer to the EU and in line with its values. You should definitely take advantage of this option. “But it is far from certain that Ukraine will be able to join within the next five to ten years. There is still a lot of reform work to be done.”

“The EU is everywhere where people have expectations”
When asked whether citizens experience the EU institutions as inaccessible, the minister said she would formulate it differently. “I see that there is a feeling that the EU is far away and that discussions often only take place in Brussels and Strasbourg. What is overlooked is that the EU is everywhere where people expect problems large and small to be solved with the help of the EU level. That is why I have revived the initiative of the European Local Councils, under the motto ‘Our Europe, our community’, in which people with great involvement in the communities and regions convey that the EU is not far away, but right among us.”

Finally, the minister reminds us once again of the positive aspects of the Union: “Yes, the EU has brought us enormous benefits. From employment in all 27 EU countries, a common currency to the abolition of roaming charges. Only EU citizens have all these benefits. A person from a third country cannot simply stay and work in the EU without restrictions, but rather has certain deadlines to adhere to. We must therefore keep these many advantages in mind.”