Austria opposes negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU

Austria has opposed the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer said.

He explained that Kyiv should not receive privileges that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have, Kommersant writes.

Nehammer explained his position to members of the opposition Austrian Freedom Party, speaking before the Committee on European Union Affairs of the National Council of the Republic (lower house of parliament). His words in an indirect speech are transmitted in the minutes of the parliamentary session.

The chancellor said that Austria "will not agree to accession talks with Ukraine under the current conditions". According to him, "there should not be any favouritism towards Ukraine compared to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is now also negotiating accession." Nehammer believes that Ukraine and Moldova should be offered the prospect of EU membership "as a sign of solidarity," but he opposed a fast-track procedure.