Vienna (APA) – Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch believes that the relationship between Europe and the USA has been fundamentally altered. “There will be no return to the past. It may stabilize somewhat, but at a different level,” stated the president of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation during a panel discussion in Vienna on Monday. He emphasized that Europe must now contemplate its own future, stating, “That is what is at stake.”
Petritsch unveiled the second edition of the book “Europe and the USA – What remains of the transatlantic relationship?” at the House of the European Union in Vienna, co-edited with Patrick Horvath. He pointed out that the current US administration is challenging the American values that the European Union also upholds. He contended that Europe is “alone” and has “reached a point where we must examine ourselves more closely and decisively,” advocating for a stronger common European foreign and defense policy.
“I favor significant changes to unanimity”
Petritsch stressed that merely increasing the defense budget will not suffice. “Without progress towards a European army in security matters, additional spending will be ineffective,” he asserted. Similarly, Andreas Schieder, head of the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) delegation in the European Parliament, shared this viewpoint. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that an increased defense budget does not lead to greater dependency on the USA.
Schieder called for a reduction of the national veto right, especially regarding enlargement negotiations, stating, “I favor significant changes to unanimity.” He referenced Iceland, noting that if it decides to resume accession talks, these could conclude “relatively quickly,” as they do not need to wait behind Ukraine or Moldova and are already further along in the process.
Subtle criticism of the Spanish socialist government
The two SPÖ politicians, with Petritsch being a party member, expressed strong support for an EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Petritsch remarked that the issues in the agricultural sector are “not insurmountable.” Schieder confirmed that the agreement would come to his desk as a Member of the European Parliament and stressed that the matter should be addressed at the European level rather than nationally. In light of a negative decision from the Austrian Parliament on Mercosur, he suggested that Austrian parties should recognize that “the world has moved forward on this issue.” “I prefer to partner with Mercosur countries than see them shift towards the BRICS grouping,” Schieder said, referring to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Moreover, Schieder criticized the “inconsistencies” in the foreign policy stances of EU member states. He pointed out that some countries have yet to recognize Kosovo while supporting its recognition as a viable solution, and are willing to concede Western Sahara to Morocco. His comments were aimed at the Spanish government, which advocates for recognizing Palestine but has not acknowledged Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, along with four other EU nations, and has abandoned efforts for the independence of its former colony, Western Sahara, now annexed by Morocco. (10.11.2025)
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