2023-11-09 22:43:05
Debates also on the proceedings once morest Poland and Hungary as well as the EU strategy once morest anti-Semitism
Vienna (PK) – The EU subcommittee today dealt with a communication from the Commission on the EU enlargement policy. Also on the agenda was a council document on the current events Proceedings on Poland and Hungary and the Commission communication on the EU strategy Fighting anti-Semitism and to promote Jewish life (2021 – 2030).
Debate on the enlargement policy of the European Union
The 2022 enlargement package, published in October 2022, assesses the progress in the EU integration process of the six Western Balkan states and Turkey. The package is placed in the geopolitical context of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and emphasizes the role of EU enlargement policy as a geostrategic investment in peace, stability and security in Europe.
Yesterday the European Commission presented a proposal on enlargement policy in which it proposes starting accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler said she would examine the report in detail and emphasized that there would be no “fast-track procedure”. Enlargement is important for the security of the EU. The accession process of the Western Balkan countries should therefore be pushed forward and accelerated, because the Western Balkans should not be left to other actors. Austria will continue to advocate for the Western Balkan countries, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Edtstadler. She advocates a “gradual process” in integration. This means that states should receive incentives, such as participation in the Erasmus+ program or participation in informal meetings, as soon as they have completed certain areas in the admission process.
Carmen Jeitler-Cincelli (ÖVP) asked how the population’s trust in the European Union and understanding of enlargement might be strengthened and what reforms of the European Union would be needed. Edtstadler said that this was everyone’s responsibility and that the further development of the Union must take place in parallel with the enlargement process.
Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ) wanted to know from Federal Minister Edtstadler whether the European Commission’s proposal to start accession negotiations with Ukraine came as a surprise to her. He also raised the question of the EU’s absorption capacity. Ukraine has a large agricultural system and this would have a strong impact on the EU’s agricultural subsidy system. Edtstadler replied that this proposal from the Commission did not come as a big surprise to her, emphasizing that the criteria for inclusion must be met; two classes of enlargement candidates cannot be created. Even with the best will in the world, Ukraine’s accession would not be possible in a very short period of time. However, Ukraine is very ambitious and is doing everything it can to reform itself profoundly, said Edtstadler. This momentum must be used to motivate the Western Balkans as well.
He has serious doubts as to whether the EU still takes itself seriously, said Axel Kassegger (FPÖ), referring to the Copenhagen criteria for accession candidates, and submitted a request for a statement in which the federal government was asked to demand compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and to “speak out once morest an EU expansion of states that do not meet these requirements”. This affects all current EU accession candidates. Furthermore, the FPÖ called on the federal government to speak out once morest starting EU accession negotiations with states that are at war and to “unconditionally advocate for the preservation of the unanimity principle” at the European level. The motion remained in the minority with the FPÖ voting and was therefore rejected.
Michel Reimon (Greens) wanted to know from the European Minister what changes she believes will be necessary in the European institutions in the future. Edtstadler said that the Union would be heavily concerned with the question of “how we position ourselves differently” in the next few years.
Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS) asked regarding the speed of the accession process and how we would like to deal with it if Ukraine’s accession takes place more quickly than for other current accession countries. Edtstadler said that possible incentives in the accession process must of course apply to every country. It does not depend on when the accession negotiations began, but on when a candidate meets all the criteria for accession.
Christian Oxonitsch (SPÖ) asked Edtstadler how she assessed Italy’s asylum deal with Albania. Dialogue with third countries is important; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has succeeded in entering into a partnership with a third country, said Edtstadler.
Ongoing proceedings regarding Poland and Hungary
Proceedings under Article 7 to protect the fundamental values of the EU have been ongoing in Poland and Hungary for several years. An update on these procedures under the Spanish Presidency is planned for the General Affairs Council next week. The Council will discuss developments regarding the rule of law in Poland and the fundamental values of the EU in Hungary.
Edtstadler emphasized that the rule of law is a fundamental principle and applies to the European Union and candidate countries. However, the procedures under Article 7 would not lead to what was intended, but rather “to sub-zero temperatures in the room”, as the affected states felt “pressed once morest the wall”, said Edtstadler. The conditionality mechanism, which provides for the freezing of funds, is more effective. This causes changes to happen, says Edtstadler.
Rudolf Taschner (ÖVP) emphasized that the rule of law is one of the Union’s fundamental values and asked how compliance would be taken into account in the enlargement process. Edtstadler emphasized that compliance with the rule of law is a fundamental prerequisite for EU accession.
The Hungarian Council Presidency is just around the corner, reminded Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ). He asked Edtstadler whether she trusted Hungary, as the country holding the presidency, to act as a mediator of the rule of law in the EU. It is not legally possible to exclude someone from a chairmanship and it would also not be politically wise, said Edtstadler. The Council Presidency holds the respective Presidency country accountable; so far, each Presidency country has had ambitious goals and has worked to make progress. Active involvement has positive effects, says Edtstadler.
The rule of law can be seen in several faces, said Martin Graf (FPÖ). He had the feeling that the rule of law was being interpreted politically and explained that in his opinion the criticism of Hungary was not justified.
Michel Reimon (Greens) asked regarding the involvement of the European Parliament in Article 7 procedures and asked how the outcome of the election in Poland would affect the procedure on Poland. In this context, there is an exchange with the European Parliament, said Edtstadler. With regard to the election outcome in Poland, it is still too early to draw conclusions. She hopes that a stable government will be formed quickly in Poland. Poland is an enormously important country, not only because of its size and geographical location, but also in terms of the economic power that is developing there.
The election result in Poland opens a window, said Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS). He considered it useful to continue the Article 7 procedure in order to demonstrate the impact of this instrument.
EU strategy to combat anti-Semitism
In October 2021, the European Commission presented a strategy once morest anti-Semitism, the implementation of which will extend from 2021 to 2030. The national strategies once morest anti-Semitism should be determined by the end of 2022. To date, 18 member states, including Austria, have adopted holistic strategies or at least measures to combat anti-Semitism in their action plans or strategies to combat racism. The European Union wants to publish comprehensive implementation reports in 2024 and 2029.
“Since the terrible events of October 7th, we have once once more experienced a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents,” said Edtstadler. She might never have imagined that a situation like the one we are experiencing now would happen once more. The federal government has therefore introduced a bill to tighten the prohibition law. But even the strictest law will not work if the population does not stand up once morest anti-Semitism, said Edtstadler. Austria is the first country to have a strategy once morest anti-Semitism and the European Union’s strategy is very important.
Martin Engelberg (ÖVP) emphasized that all forms of anti-Semitism must be combated and asked which measures should be particularly focused on. Edtstadler said that the entire society must stand up once morest anti-Semitism. The strategy once morest anti-Semitism works, but one should not expect a miracle cure.
If Jews in Austria have to be afraid, it would be a shame for our country, emphasized Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ). Anti-Semitism must be combated by all means possible. Schools are particularly challenged.
Eva Blimlinger (Greens) also emphasized the importance of the education sector, but pointed out that schools and universities in particular have recently become hot spots with regard to anti-Semitic incidents. It also raised the question of equalizing the status of refugees from Ukraine and Israel at the European level.
Mario Lindner (SPÖ) said that anti-Semitism has existed in Austria for decades and he sees the lack of an overall strategy once morest re-activity and hate crimes.
Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS) said that tightening punishments would not make a serious difference; the underlying phenomena were hatred and hostility to democracy. There have been failures to combat these phenomena for decades, particularly within the framework of integration measures.
Lukas Hammer (Greens) said he has a hard time when it is said that foreigners are bringing anti-Semitism into the country, because anti-Semitism is closely interwoven with Austrian culture. It took Austria a long time to face up to its own responsibilities and as a society it looked the other way for a long time. He warns once morest shifting responsibility and acting as if anti-Semitism was “imported” into Austria.
When Jews are under pressure, we are all under pressure, said Edtstadler. In order to combat anti-Semitism, the education sector is of course important, which is why the Ministry of Education has provided teaching materials on the Middle East conflict. The police also hold workshops in schools to combat extremism.
Martin Engelberg (ÖVP) said that schools are the “decisive front” in society and called for empowerment for teachers. They would need support if students behaved completely disrespectfully and parents also supported their children’s misbehavior.
Eva Blimlinger (Greens) recalled that anti-Semitism was not just a question of education, as leading National Socialists were highly educated. Rudolf Taschner (ÖVP) said that knowledge alone is not enough; it is primarily regarding building conscience. It is important to have a conscience. (Conclusion of the EU subcommittee) bea
Questions & Contact:
Press service of the Parliamentary Directorate
Parliamentary correspondence
Tel. +43 1 40110/2272
press service@parlament.gv.at
www.facebook.com/OeParl
www.twitter.com/oeparl
1699573625
#subcommittee #deals #enlargement #policy
