Russian Threat – Bowl: Need to prepare defense

“We must prepare for this European defense dimension,” Schüssel said in an interview. “This is also stated in the contracts we have agreed. Wherever an EU mandate exists, we are also willing and able to cooperate constitutionally. And we must do that too. Also in the exchange of information and in cooperation between the secret services. This is essential for us if we want to protect our citizens.”

EU countries must now adapt and improve their own defense capabilities, Schüssel said. The ex-chancellor is pleased with the fact that the new European Commission has an EU Commissioner for Defense for the first time, Andrius Kubilius. “A lot of useful work is going on, coordination of tenders, joint tenders, development of research, especially in the field of the new methods that we see in the war in Ukraine, such as artificial intelligence. Europe is in a very bad position.”

EU funding possible for Sky Shield
Joining NATO was more important for Finland because of its long border with Russia, Schüssel said. But Austria could do a lot within the EU. “For these reasons, we have amended the Constitution so that we can and must fully follow European defense policy. That’s why Sky Shield makes perfect sense. I fully support this. I think maybe even part of this project can be financed from the EU budget.”

“If the Union did not exist, we would have to invent it today for all the European countries that want it. We have fought 123 wars against each other over three centuries and have now enjoyed peace within the European Union for more than seventy years. That in itself is a gift we have given ourselves,” said Schüssel, taking stock of EU membership. If Austria were not yet a member of the EU, “we would immediately have to queue up.” Even before the EU was established as an economic community, it was designed as a defense community, Schüssel said.

Austria’s economic power has tripled since accession
“And economic success is not just for Austria, but for the entire European Union. The economic power of the EU, which of course did not yet exist at the time, initially amounted to 360 billion. Today it has risen to 16,000 billion euros,” Schüssel takes stock. “This is a huge success, just like for Austria. In the thirty years since we joined, we have tripled our economic power, increased exports fivefold and foreign investment tenfold. And politically it is crucial that we have moved from the margins to the center of the decision.”

Regarding Europe’s declining competitiveness, Schüssel advocates “stopping over-bureaucratization”: “This ranges from the supply chain law, to the ESG directive, to renaturation, all well-intentioned, but not regulated at European level in the spirit of subsidiarity “Secondly, the EU must complete the internal market, including in the labor market. “We also need to invest massively in research and capital markets. If we succeed, things can go a long way.”

NGO concerns as a reason for migration problems in Europe
According to Schüssel, ‘well-intentioned concerns’, for example from NGOs and human rights experts, are also the reason for Europe’s problems in the field of asylum and migration policy. “Millions who are not entitled to asylum, but have come to Europe anyway and can no longer leave because of the rulings of the European Court of Justice and the national high courts. There have been many warnings: Viktor Orbán, who was highly criticized by everyone, has always said that. Sebastian Kurz always said that. Karl Nehammer has also repeatedly referred to these topics. That has often been pushed aside, especially by the Commission.” He hopes that the new EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, will make some progress. “If you want to preserve the internal market, you obviously have to protect the external border.”

Schüssel believes that the fact that Orbán incurred the displeasure of the European Commission and several EU states due to his Russia-friendly attitude was “a bit exaggerated”. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also spoke with Putin. “I have no sympathy for continuing to have friendly contacts with the Kremlin, but I think it absolutely makes sense to confront it with our criticism.” This also applies to the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the OSCE. It is also crucial that the EU remains united. At the same time, Schüssel advocates continued support for Ukraine. “They can’t do it alone. It is admirable how Ukrainians are fighting back and fighting for their freedom. That deserves all the respect. After the world left us Austrians alone in 1938, we should know how painful that is. We must therefore certainly insist that Ukraine is not left to its own devices.”

The EU must ‘strongly represent’ Trump’s interests
Regarding Donald Trump’s upcoming second term as US president, Schüssel advises: “We have to represent our interests very forcefully.” Trump’s announced tariff increases “wouldn’t be that simple.” Schüssel: “There is no more loyal and reliable ally than Europe. And if they want to permanently deteriorate this cooperation, then that is not in America’s interest.”

Schüssel wants Austria to continue to influence EU policy together with like-minded states. “We will not be able to move the European Union alone with 9 million people, but together with others we can achieve a lot, we have always shown that.” The ex-chancellor does not believe that Austria can play a role in the major geopolitical situation. “I would rather strengthen the EU. We now have a big personality at the helm with the new representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.”

Schüssel has an optimistic view of the future of the EU. “Absolutely” the 50th anniversary of Austria’s accession to the EU will also be a reason to celebrate, says the politician, who as Minister of Economic Affairs supervised the accession negotiations and significantly shaped Austria’s attitude as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chancellor . Schüssel was also head of government during the so-called ‘EU sanctions’ by the then fourteen other member states against the first black-blue government. “All in all, I think we will see some fascinating developments in the next twenty years, for example in medical research. We will beat diseases, and Europe will lead the way,” Schüssel said. “I think we are just scratching the surface in materials science and mobility development. When it comes to brain research and neurology, there are incredible developments ahead of us, and I hope I can experience a little bit of that.”