Although EU countries have granted Ukraine candidate status in an emergency procedure, EU membership is unrealistic for the foreseeable future. The chancellor is looking for excuses – and is reminded of the year 2004.
“Historic” was the overused word at the EU summit in Brussels after Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova were granted candidate status. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the head of state of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu were linked at the summit.
“Ukraine’s future lies in Europe,” Zelenskyj said, adding Sandu: “We still have a long way to go.” She spoke true words.
Nehammer emphasized “negotiations”
After the unanimous decision of the heads of state or government, Chancellor Karl Nehammer also stressed that candidate status does not mean “starting negotiations”.
The Chancellor acknowledged that in Ukraine’s case there had been a mood swing in the EU, not just within himself, and a review by the Commission would have led to this change of mindset.
Austria probably didn’t want to be a spoilsport
Here the chancellor has to swallow the question whether they do not want to talk their way out of the EU Commission cheaply. Finally, it was tirelessly reiterated that the candidate status of Ukraine and Moldova would only be approved under certain conditions. These were not met, but Austria apparently did not want to be the spoilsport of the accession party with a veto.
Nehammer also has another problem: according to a recent Eurobarometer survey, only 45 percent of Austrians are in favor of EU enlargement, but 50 percent are against it.
Leave the decision to the people?
Any accession of Ukraine to the EU must be unanimously approved by all member states. In 2004, then-Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel wanted the Austrian people to vote in Brussels on whether Austria would agree to Turkey’s accession to the EU. Chancellor Nehammer should now consider something similar in the case of Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
