You have to use common sense and avoid unnecessary speed in the car or too low temperatures in the air conditioning. For reasons of climate protection alone, one should not use energy wastefully. At the same time, in the APA interview, she insisted on European solidarity, especially in the southern countries.
Edtstadler reminded that solidarity is not a one-way street. Solidarity has often been shown towards these states, which are now often less dependent on Russian gas, and they have been helped, for example with the resolution of the reconstruction fund. It must be clear to everyone that nothing less than Europe as a business location is at stake. The EU as a whole must also “finally get going” when it comes to joint energy purchasing.
Unperturbed by Putin’s threats
The minister was fairly undaunted by Russian threats, all the more so because, in her view, the “no alternative” sanctions are “causing the economy there to collapse”. She considers the threatening gestures by the ruler Vladimir Putin to pipe the gas to other countries to be “less realistic” because there are fewer pipelines there. Nevertheless, Moscow will continue to use the gas as a means of pressure.
For Edtstadler, the counter-recipe is a diversification of sources. The “pragmatism of the German Greens” should be taken as an example when expanding renewable energy systems. Hydrogen is also an important future topic for the minister, as is liquid gas.
In addition to the efforts of politicians to ensure an appropriate energy supply, she also sees a challenge for the people. Because she feels that a “Jo eh mentality has developed in recent years that politics regulates everything”.
“With three wool sweaters in front of the tiled stove”
But one must now also fill personal responsibility with life. The previous generation had worked hard to achieve prosperity “and now we are required to ensure this for the future”. But Edtstadler doesn’t want to make the Austrians panic: “No one wants to imagine having to sit by the tiled stove at 19 degrees with three woolen sweaters. Hopefully we’ll never have to experience that.”
In Edtstadler’s view, it is also essential for a peaceful future in Europe to press ahead with EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. The long overdue promises in the region must be kept. “I’ve been warning for months that one match is enough to start a conflagration.” As far as Kosovo is concerned, Serbian statements are reminiscent of war rhetoric. It is therefore important to continue the dialogue with all your might.
Although Belgrade and the Serbian population have recently positioned themselves very clearly on the side of Russia, Edtstadler sees Serbia as a future member of the Union. Once again, the head of department, who is responsible for the European agendas in the Chancellery, emphasized that enlargement should be understood more as a gradual process. For example, anyone who positively concludes the chapter on the internal market in the accession negotiations should also be able to participate in the internal market. She also thinks it makes sense that the applicants for accession could be allowed to sit at the table in Brussels – albeit without voting rights.
Edtstadler believes that the fact that Ukraine has been given candidate status is a “right signal”. You have to work together with the countries and also make the dimension tangible for the population. However, based on the current situation of the Russian war of aggression, it is also clear to her that Ukraine can only become a full member after a decade-long process.
Source: Nachrichten
