During a visit to Estonia on Friday, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) made it clear that he would only agree to Ukraine’s candidate status to the EU along with the status of other candidates. For Austria, it is a “condition” that if Ukraine is granted candidate status, “the same goes for the states of the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova”, according to Nehammer. Incidentally, this was the first visit of an Austrian chancellor to Tallinn.
Nehammer explained that the proposal did not come from him, but from French President Emmanuel Macron. He called for “fairness and fairness in this discussion”, the worst example being Turkey’s candidate status, which has lasted 59 years.
Chancellor refers to discussions about Turkey
Nehammer apparently marked Turkey’s first application for membership of the European Economic Community (EEC) in the 1960s. The country has had EU candidate status since 1999, after submitting a second application for membership in 1989.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas also said at a joint press conference with Nehammer that she would support Ukraine’s joint accession process. At the same time, however, she warned to seize the opportunity that all troops in Ukraine are now ready to implement difficult reforms. The favorable chance (“window of opportunity”) is only short, later there may be differences and become increasingly difficult.
“It is important that the situation does not become too complicated”
Asked about Austria’s proposal for a gradual rapprochement and a European “preparation area” for EU applicants, Kallas replied that it was important “that the situation does not get more complicated”. All states that follow the principles of the rule of law and democracy should be given a chance. “We must not push these states aside,” stressed Kallas, who also acknowledged that the proposal needed more discussion.
Referring to a gas embargo, Kallas said she was very proud that six sanctions packages have already been passed and with each sanctions package it gets more painful. “It’s about how much suffering we can endure.” Different countries are affected differently by Russia’s energy dependence. Some countries are 100 percent dependent on Russia. Getting rid of it takes time.
Conversations with Putin: different views
When asked about talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, different opinions emerged. Nehammer stressed that it was necessary to speak to everyone involved in the war to end the war. It is about safe corridors for food and humanitarian aid and about prisoner exchanges, which require a basis for discussion. “I think it is right and important to confront Putin about his war crimes.”
Kallas saw it differently: she takes the position that Putin has not changed his goals even after the talks with Western politicians and also assured on Thursday that he had big imperialist plans. “I don’t think it makes sense to talk to him.” She also does not believe in his good will. The conversations served more to spread his own story. Putin must be given signals that he is being held responsible for the war crimes in Ukraine.
Source: Krone
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