The impression in Brussels is that Hungary and Austria are closely aligned on issues such as Ukraine, Russia, or the Israel-Hamas conflict, with one diplomat equating the countries’ positions with a resurrection of the historic Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, on Wednesday, the 13th of December, writes Politico.
Critics claim that Austria is using Hungary’s position on Ukraine for selfish purposes. Austria’s reputation in Brussels has been tarnished not only by its recent move on Ukraine, with Karl Nehammer announcing that Austria opposes the opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine, but also by its years of blocking Bulgaria and Romania on their way to the Schengen zone, with Hungary supporting both countries’ inclusion in the free movement zone.
Austria’s retreat from the expected consensus raises concerns about a possible change in the EU dynamics and is causing alarm in Brussels. Austria, despite occasional “tricks”, has generally supported the EU’s liberal train of thought.
However, fears of an Austro-Hungarian comeback seem unfounded.
Austrian government officials resent comparisons with the Hungarian leader, whom they regard as authoritarian. “We try to get along with Orbán because he is our neighbour, but that doesn’t mean we like it,” said an Austrian official, according to Politico.
Austria’s recent move on Ukraine in Brussels is linked to Austrian interests in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria believes that if accession talks are to start with Ukraine, they should also start with Bosnia and Herzegovina, with which it has economic and political ties.
During Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler’s visit to Sarajevo, she stressed the geopolitical necessity of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the EU.
Given its proximity and historical peacekeeping role in the former Yugoslavia, Austria considers that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU
is essential for the stability of the region and for reducing Russian influence.
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina has been declared an EU candidate country, rule of law concerns remain and need to be addressed before negotiations can start. Austria aims to use this week’s EU summit to quietly move Bosnia and Herzegovina’s candidacy forward.
An Austrian official has stated that their intention is not to obstruct Ukraine’s path to the EU, adding that this would be like “standing in front of a freight train,” Austria only wants to quietly add Bosnia “to the back of the train”, the official said.
However, with elections due next autumn, there are concerns about Austria’s political direction. The anti-EU Freedom Party, which sees Orbán’s Hungary as a model, is leading in the polls.
During a visit to Budapest, Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl praised Hungary as “a haven of national self-determination and resistance against Brussels’ globalist intervention”, writes Politico.
Despite the thriving far-right friendship between Kickl and Orbán, history shows that cooperation between Austria and Hungary over time has not been lasting.
Read also: Orbán threatens Ukraine’s EU bid in a letter to the EC President
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