The Western Balkans is a strange technical term

Karin Kneissl: In foreign policy views, it is primarily about bringing Southeast European states closer to the European Union. This region is important to us, it has been neglected in the past 20 years. I myself avoid using the term “Western Balkans”, it is a strange technical term, and for me cities like Sarajevo and Belgrade are also European cities.

You talk about <x0fim”. After the summit in Sofia, a relatively deep disappointment has spread to the six states, which are located with different candidate or non-respondent status. What specifically will you offer? What will you try to achieve?

Karin Kneissl: We can only use dynamics here. States themselves must implement a series of reforms. In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina is primarily about reforming the election law before the October 7th elections, and we cannot offer here something, we can only remind states that should continue their reforms. We will primarily engage in our colleagues in those capitals, which are geographically and historically a little farther away, so they can understand that this region is important.

That means you're for a continuation of the accession process or the integration of six countries?

Karin Kneissl:We support those who today have decision-making positions to implement reforms so that we can get closer to the European Union. Here we are dealing with very different states with very different preconditions in terms of population numbers and administrative terms. You can't just throw all these countries into one area, but they'll continue in a positive race process with each other in their reform process.

In recent days, on the eve of the rotating EU presidency in Austria, there has been a heated debate on the topic of migration and possible border controls. What should we understand with that?

Basic freedom in the European Union, which we therefore rely on integration into the European Union, must be kept in a wise balance. But there should be no taboo in this debate.

When talking about taboos in thought, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean S. How Do You Answer Him?

Karin Kneissl:This warning or criticism I find difficult to understand -- because the four states that form Visegrad -- we within the EU have very different forms from Austerlici to Visegrad and some others. Here we should not leave one thing out of focus: indeed, historically and geographically we are close, but the difference I see between the four states of Visegrad and Austria is: all four states are NATO states and we are not state of NATO, and that certainly clearly distinguishes us in many foreign policy decisions.

However, it is hoped that Austria will exert some influence on these countries. Mr. P.S.D. said regarding Poland: We don't have a legal operating system there. And regarding Hungary, he said, there is no press freedom. What influence can Austria exert even within the European Council Presidency?

In Poland's case, a procedure is under way, the Article 7 procedure (refundance if basic EU values are violated by an EU state) and we will not make the mistake of interfering in an ongoing procedure. As ministers, we also have conversations behind the curtains, but do not interfere with the ongoing procedure.

What is Europe you imagine? We have to develop scenarios to get out of the crisis.

Karin Kneissl: The very scenarios were held a year and a half ago by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and they were introduced to the European Parliament. The Austrian federal government presented in December a government programme in which the IV scenario is very clear. This means that it is crucial that in the sense of subsidary we make sure that the European Union focuses on the main, large topics that we need common solutions for, for example, protecting EU external borders, common foreign and security policy or climate change. There, where national states or regions are able to find better solutions, because they are closer to the EU, we need less the EU.

Karin Kneissl is Austrian politician without a party. Since 18 December 2017 she is the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria. / DW/