Brussels/Vienna – EU Council President Antonio Costa and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) jointly advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. During his visit to Vienna last Wednesday, Costa expressed, “We want to compel Russia’s President (Vladimir) Putin to engage in negotiations.” Both leaders expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s commitment to peace, emphasizing the importance of implementing a 19th EU sanctions package against Russia, as highlighted by Costa.
“We need to prepare security guarantees”
Costa expressed hope that Europeans could soon present security guarantees for Ukraine, stating, “We must put an end to the senseless killing.” He referenced an upcoming meeting in Paris with a coalition of willing nations. “We need to outline security guarantees for Ukraine” to ensure “adequate protection when and if peace is achieved,” he added.
Stocker “not too optimistic” about peace
Chancellor Stocker reiterated Austria’s firm stance against Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine, emphasizing solidarity with Ukraine while prioritizing the cessation of violence. He lamented that time has proven Putin’s lack of interest in a negotiated settlement, as Russian assaults continue unabated. Thus, maintaining pressure from the EU is crucial. “At this moment, I remain not too optimistic,” Stocker remarked. Costa praised Austria’s ability to balance its neutrality with a commitment to security and defense.
Inflation: Chancellor sees EU Commission in action
During the meeting, Stocker also addressed inflation-related measures, identifying the European Commission as responsible for addressing these issues. He expressed his intent to tackle territorial delivery restrictions, often referred to as the “Austria surcharge,” which leads to higher prices for smaller European nations. The leaders discussed initiatives in this area, with Stocker noting, “we will see how quickly it progresses.” Costa stated that eliminating trade barriers would be the most effective approach to mitigating inflation, advocating for the Mercosur agreement with South American countries, which could enhance Austria’s already favorable trade surplus with that region.
Costa wants to start debate on EU multiannual budget in December
Other topics covered during the visit included the EU Commission’s proposal for the next multiannual budget for 2028-2034, the situation in the Western Balkans, and enhancing competitiveness. Costa announced his plan to initiate discussions on the EU financial framework in December, aiming for completion by the end of 2026 to ensure a “smooth transition” from the current budget set to expire in 2027. He identified competitiveness, resilience, border protection, and defense as key areas of focus, emphasizing the need for the EU to bolster its innovative capabilities.
Stocker against joint debt
Stocker reiterated Austria’s skepticism towards joint debt initiatives, highlighting challenges stemming from the debt incurred through the “Next Generation EU” recovery fund. He insisted that national consolidation efforts should reflect at the European level. While acknowledging the necessity of a robust EU budget, he stressed that Europe must enhance efficiency without increasing national contributions if national budgets are strained. Stocker expressed Austria’s openness to exploring new EU revenue sources (“own resources”), though he indicated a preference against corporate taxes, suggesting alternatives instead.
In July, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the EU Commission’s proposal for the upcoming multiannual budget, projected to rise significantly from 1.211 trillion euros to two trillion euros.
Competitiveness as a foundation
Stocker advocated for a stronger focus on competitiveness as a fundamental European concern. “To safeguard prosperity, we must act swiftly,” he asserted. Economic strength is essential for addressing climate change and ensuring security, making it critical that the climate goals for 2040 also incorporate competitiveness. The Chancellor reiterated the need to reduce bureaucratic barriers, emphasizing that innovative companies require conducive growth environments.
Additionally, Stocker briefed Costa on his recent trip to Montenegro and Serbia, affirming Austria’s strong support for EU enlargement to include the Western Balkans. “If we fail to engage the region, others will,” he cautioned. “Europe remains an attractive partner; the question is how long this will last.”
Costa is currently touring EU capitals, having arrived in Vienna from Croatia and scheduled to continue to Romania following his meeting with Stocker. (04.09.2025)
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