Macedonia's European future is clear and the country should launch EU accession negotiations in June. Macedonia should do everything in its power to prepare and give no reasons for criticism prior to EC's spring report. It must demonstrate sound political life, showing it is a country we need to integrate in the EU. The Union should not import problems, says Austrian Ambassador to the EU, Walter Grahammer in an interview with MIA's correspondent to Brussels.
The Macedonian society is positively surprised by Austria's open support in the EU, especially during the last European Council Summit, when it urged the opening of accession negotiations. What is the reason for such support?
Austria has promoted the same stance with regards to the EU accession of all Western Balkan countries for years, of course after they meet all criteria. Now we feel the time has come for Macedonia to start accession negotiations, since the European Commission has given the same assessment for four years. Therefore, Austria believes this procedure should not be delayed, and the membership will come once the negotiations are completed.
Is Austria's support coming because your country protects the pillars of European democracy, including the right for self-identification, or does your country have any special relationship towards the Balkans and the Republic of Macedonia?
There are so-called geographic reasons, i.e. Austria's approach to the Western Balkans from a geo-political aspect. We want all countries in our neighborhood to be members or to negotiate for Union accession. Croatia will join the EU this year, Montenegro has launched the negotiations, Macedonia and Serbia are candidates, whereas Albania and BiH are potential candidates. Therefore, Austria gives its full support not only to Macedonia, but the region in general.
Taking into consideration Austria is one of the largest, if not the biggest investor in the region of former Yugoslavia, is maybe the economic interest that makes you push these countries to the European Union?
"Yes, but this is not the main reason. Austria has achieved its economic interests in Western Balkan countries and according to the investment volume we are first in Serbia and among the top investors in Montenegro, and these countries are not even EU members. There are strong economic ties with these countries and it is a fact that once they join the Union, communication and economic relations will improve in both directions.
What is your country's position regarding the imposed dispute over Macedonia's constitutional name?
We have always said this issue should be solved bilaterally. We want the EU to somehow put the issue on the table, but that it is settled in parallel with Macedonia's Union accession talks. Austria does not want the accession negotiations to be held hostage due to the name issue.
Do you believe it is allowed for a country, even an EU member, to decide about the name of another country and put a barrier in its Euro-integration processes?
This is a question of history and history cannot be changed. Still, I believe this issue can be solved in present time. In this context, I often refer to the example there is a province in Belgium called Luxembourg, and a neighboring country and an EU member is also called Luxembourg, but there are no problems. Even if someone says the comparison is not valid, there are regions that are comparable in order to reach a solution to these problems.
According to the latest Council conclusions, Macedonia should get a date for accession negotiations in June, if the EC gives a positive recommendation this spring. Do you believe this will be enough for Greece, even Bulgaria, not to block the country?
"I cannot foresee anything. However, my recommendation to Macedonia is to do everything in its power to prepare for these negotiations and give no reason for criticism. It must demonstrate sound political life, showing it is a country we need to integrate in the EU. The Union should not import problems. This was a case in the past, but it is now clear the Union does not want to import problems that cannot be solved, since this would be a problem for the EU later. Macedonia should be well prepared in all fields so that negotiations start sooner.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU has enlargement fatigue due to its economic problems. Do you agree with the assessments that no Balkan country should join the EU by 2020?
Governments change and opinions can change. I cannot say with certainty what will happen in the future, but it is a fact we need consensus when it comes to enlargement issues, primarily when it comes to opening of negotiations, their closure, as well as ratification of accession treaties. We always need unanimity, so even if all member-states are "in favor", it is difficult to predict in 2013 what would happen in 2020. Austria is investing efforts in the issue, towards facilitating the entry of Western Balkan countries in the EU and convincing other member-states that enlargement is very important, of course if candidates meet membership criteria.
