Nehammer on the EU:

“Course correction to maintain prosperity”

Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer

(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) will meet with heads of state and government from five member states and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Friday (see video above). Austria's priorities in the talks will be the fight against illegal migration and strengthening the economy, Nehammer said ahead of the meeting.

"It is important to me to play an active role 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 in order to maintain and expand prosperity.

For example, a restrictive migration policy is needed to create more security. As an example, the politician cited robust protection of external borders and the implementation of asylum procedures in so-called safe third countries. Repatriations must be carried out consistently and organized crime and smuggling must be combated.

From the left: EU Council President Charles Michel, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk

(Bild: AFP)

More freedom for the economy
Furthermore, a course correction is necessary "so that our economy can do business again." Austria's prosperity must not only be maintained, but also expanded. According to Nehammer, this can be achieved through fewer bans, more freedom and a greater focus on research. By this, the Federal Chancellor means, for example, less regulation and bureaucracy for companies and the prevention of unfair trade practices.

The meeting with Nehammer on Friday evening will be attended by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulidis. However, the Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina, who had also been invited, canceled her participation at short notice.

In the past, the construction of the EU was based on the idea that we are democracies and must promote democratic principles and values.

EU-Ratspräsident Charles Michel

Michel: Reality has changed
EU Council President Charles Michel is traveling from Warsaw. He assured on Friday that the specific situation of the individual member states would always be taken into account. "I sense a new paradigm on the part of the EU, 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 powerful economic base and cooperate more economically (...)", he said. Today, the EU should take on more responsibility in the area of security, for example.

In view of the meeting on Friday, the NEOS called for more courage for reforms. Citizens' suggestions for the future of Europe should not be ignored either. What is needed is "less talk and more action", said EU lead candidate Helmut Brandstätter in a press release.