Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) will meet on Friday with the heads of state and government of five member states, as well as the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Austria’s priorities in the talks would be the fight against illegal migration and strengthening the economy, Nehammer said beforehand.
“It is important for me to have an active say at the forefront when it comes to the future of the EU and the priorities for the coming years,” said the Chancellor. According to him, the latter are the consistent fight against illegal migration and a stronger economy to maintain and expand prosperity.
For example, a restrictive migration policy is needed that creates more security. As an example, the politician mentioned robust protection of the external borders and the implementation of asylum procedures in so-called safe third countries. Returns must be carried out consistently and organized crime and smuggling must be combated.
More freedom for the economy
Moreover, a course correction is necessary “so that our economy can function again.” Prosperity in Austria must not only be maintained, but also expanded. According to Nehammer, this can be achieved through fewer bans, more freedom and more focus on research. By this, the Chancellor means, for example, less regulation and bureaucracy for companies and the prevention of unfair trade practices.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis will take part in the meeting with Nehammer on Friday evening. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, who was also invited, canceled her participation at short notice.
Michel: Reality has changed
EU Council President Charles Michel travels from Warsaw. He assured on Friday that the specific situation of the individual Member States will always be taken into account. “I sense a new paradigm on the EU side, the reality has changed. In the past, the construction of the EU was based on the idea that we are democracies and must promote democratic principles and values, and that we want to have a strong economic base and cooperate more economically (…),” he said. . Today, the EU should take more responsibility in the field of security.
Ahead of Friday’s meeting, NEOS called for more courage for reforms. Citizens’ suggestions about the future of Europe should also not be ignored. What is needed is “less talk, more action,” EU top candidate Helmut Brandstätter said in a broadcast.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
