David Stanton
Ceist:22 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he participated in EU discussions, or bilateral Ireland-Austria discussions, on the current situation in Austria. [4297/00]
Written Answers. - Austrian Government.
John Gormley
Ceist:25 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's and EU's views on the new Austrian Government. [4382/00]
Austin Deasy
Ceist:28 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the protest, if any, the Government has made other than through the EU to the Austrian Prime Minister regarding the inclusion of a neo-Nazi party in a pivotal position of his new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4394/00]
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:36 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the bilateral discussions, if any, he has had with other members of the EU Council of Ministers regarding the implications for the future development of the EU of the election of a new Government in Austria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4311/00]
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:41 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view on the implications for the development of the EU of the election of the new Government in Austria, particularly in regard to the proposed expansion of the Union and the opposition to expansion expressed and promoted by the Freedom Party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4310/00]
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:43 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the views of the EU Presidency and EU Commission on the way in which the new Austrian Government should be treated in the light of the views held by the Freedom Party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4302/00]
Michael Creed
Ceist:56 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the EU's response to the new Austrian Government is excessive and fundamentally undemocratic. [4353/00]
Alan Shatter
Ceist:71 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the formation of a Government in Austria, which includes the far right Freedom Party, as impacting on relationships between this State and Austria; the action, if any, proposed by the Government to express its disapproval of the developments which have occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4188/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 25, 28, 36, 41, 43, 56 and 71 together.
The formation of a coalition Government in Austria which includes the far-right Freedom Party has given rise to a great deal of concern not only within the European Union but also more widely. The Government shares that concern.
We regret that the efforts which were made in the period following the Austrian general election on 3 October to form a Government that did not include the Freedom Party were unsuccessful. In support of these efforts, and after full consultation with other EU partners at prime ministerial level, the Portuguese Presidency issued a statement on 31 January on behalf of the 14 setting out clearly the joint action that would be taken by all those member states in the event that an Austrian coalition Government including the far-right Freedom Party would be formed. The measures outlined were that the 14 would not promote or accept any ministerial contacts with a Government which included the Freedom Party, that there would be no support for Austrian candidates seeking positions in international organisations and that Austrian ambassadors in EU capitals would be received at official but not ministerial level.
Following the formation of the new Government on 4 February, the agreed measures relating to the bilateral relations between each member state and Austria came into effect. They do not touch on the conduct of EU business, nor on the standing of Austria as a member state of the European Union. The European Union, as such, has not taken any action against Austria – nor, indeed, would it have been empowered to do so. The EU Commission has made its concerns known but, as the measures affect only bilateral relations with Austria, there is no question of asking the Commission to subscribe to the measures taken by the 14 member states.
It was incumbent on the other EU member states to set out clearly their views in advance to the Austrian political parties concerned of what the consequences of their action would be. The EU is more than an economic or political community – it is bound together by shared values of democracy, human rights, rule of law and tolerance. The reaction of the 14 member states of the EU was measured, it reflected the strong commitment to fundamental values and norms which underpin the social and political fabric of Europe today.
Prior to the formation of the new coalition Government on 4 February the Government here conveyed to the Austrian authorities the importance we attach to the common European values of democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At the same time we have stressed the importance we attach to our relations with Austria and its people. We have kept in touch with the Austrian authorities at official level and with the Portuguese Presidency of the EU at both ministerial and official level. On 4 February, the day the new Government was formed, acting in my capacity as chairman in office of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, I joined with Lord Russell-Johnston, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, and Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary General, to issue a statement stressing that the new Austrian Government would be judged on its policies, declarations and actions. These will be carefully scrutinised by the organs of the Council of Europe.
The new Austrian Foreign Minister, Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, attended the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels last Monday. Although I was unable to attend the discussions which took place over lunch, as I had to fly to Belfast for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I understand that Dr. Ferrero-Waldner stressed her Government's commitment to the terms of a joint declaration signed by Mr. Schussel, leader of the Peoples Party and Mr. Haider, leader of the Freedom Party. This declaration, the terms of which I warmly welcome, reaffirms the adherence of the Austrian Government to the values that underpin the common European heritage including individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law. Dr. Ferrero-Waldner asked that the new Government should be judged by its policies and actions.
On the question of EU enlargement, I am aware of the position taken by the Freedom Party when in Opposition. However, I note that the new Administration, in its programme for government, committed itself to the European Union, the deepening of its integration and its enlargement. The new Chancellor, Mr. Schussel, was as the outgoing Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister closely involved in the enlargement process. In this area, too, we will judge the new Government by both its policies and its actions.