Belgium opposes Austria’s E.C. bid

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 10

Belgium opposes Austria’s E.C. bid

NZPA-Reuter Brussels Neutral Austria formally applied to join the European Community yesterday, leading to argument within European Community ranks on the implications for European integration. Belgium, which sees Austrian membership as a threat to its long-term goal of E.C. political union, prevented Ministers from starting the normal procedure for examining the request. “We have nothing against Austria but we are. European federalists," the Belgian Foreign Minister, Mark Eyskens, said. “Bel-

gium wants a period of reflection, perhaps until October.” He said Austrian membership could mean - a redefinition of East-West relations- and lead to changes in the frontiers agreed at Yalta, the World War II conference which set the borders for post-war Europe. The Austrian Foreign Minister, Alois Mock, presented the letter of application to the French Foreign Minister, Roland Dumas, just before he chaired a meeting of the 12 E.C. Foreign Ministers. It referred specifically to a need to preserve the permanent neutrality

enshrined in Austria’s Constitution, but Mr Mock said he saw no problem.

“For the Austrian Government, membership of the Community, and neutrality are compatible,” he said. Belgium’s stand meant Ministers had to argue for hours over the text of a formal letter of response to Vienna, demonstrating the magnitude of the issues raised about the future size, structure and direction of the E.C. Eventually they agreed on a text which acknowledged receipt of the application and the reference to neutrality, which would have to be studied.