Pan-European President Karl von Habsburg: The EU must finally become a geopolitical actor
Vienna (OTS) – In view of the upcoming EU Council, which will, among other things, address the fundamental question of whether the EU wants to act as an independent geopolitical actor or whether it will continue to be content with good-sounding proposals, but empty. slogans, this comes from Paneuropa Austria a clear commitment to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and the strategically important integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU.
“Anyone who seriously examines the security policy situation in Europe will come to the conclusion that starting accession negotiations with Ukraine is in the interests of both sides,” said Karl von Habsburg, President of the Austrian Pan-European Movement. This is about security and stability in Europe. “We all know that the negotiations are not yet accession,” said Habsburg, “and that Ukraine also has a series of reform steps ahead before it can join.”
For Ukraine, the status of a candidate country and the start of accession negotiations are a motivation both for the necessary new reform measures and for the struggle for freedom and independence, which is also a struggle for freedom and independence for the whole of Europe. “And it is a signal to Putin’s criminal regime that Europe will not be intimidated by war crimes.”
For the EU, Ukraine's preparation for membership represents a win for security, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Because: The further we push the limits of freedom eastward, the safer the center becomes (a slogan of former pan-European president Otto von Habsburg from the time after the fall of the Iron Curtain, which still holds true today). It will also be necessary to take reform measures in the EU in order to bring back to the fore the common objectives of a Europe of freedom, security and justice and to put national selfishness in the background.
PanEurope clearly rejects attempts to pit the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine against the necessary integration of the six Western Balkan countries into the EU. “Anyone who acts in this way is, at best, trying to cover up their own failures on the path to EU integration of the Western Balkan countries, which were already promised to join at the Thessaloniki summit 20 years ago,” said Karl von Habsburg.
Paneuropa Austria is also committed to sending much stronger military support to Ukraine, and quickly. “Any delay in the delivery of modern combat technology that allows Ukraine to develop technological superiority on the battlefield will cost human lives. Both in Ukraine and in Russia”, the Pan-European President condemns the inhumane cynicism behind the hesitant attitude that only leads to a prolongation of the war. “No European head of government can have any interest in having Russian troops on the borders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary or Romania.”
Note: The situation of security policy in Europe and the necessary strengthening of a genuine European foreign and security policy will also be one of the focuses of the “Speech on the Future of Europe”, which Karl von Habsburg will deliver on January 11, 2024.
Questions and contact:
Rainhard Kloucek
Pan-European Movement Austria
[email protected]
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