Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consultation took place between them and the European Commission before the statement was 89WA issued by the President of the Commission on 31 January announcing procedures to be adopted by the other 14 member states in their relations with Austria. [HL1883]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe President of the European Commission issued a statement on Austria on 1 February in support of the Portuguese Presidency statement of 31 January which served to limit the bilateral political relationship with Austria. The Portuguese statement was issued after consultations between the Portuguese Prime Minister and Heads of Government of the 13 other EU member states.
§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will impose sanctions similar to those they have imposed on Austria against any country whose leader or leaders have expressed sympathy, support or understanding for the national socialist or communist regimes in the former Soviet Union, in China, or in Cuba; and, if not, why not. [HL1955]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have not imposed sanctions on Austria. The measures implemented by us and our 13 other EU partners serve to limit our bilateral political relationship, as a signal of our concern over the inclusion of a far right party in the new Austrian Government. Austria's history makes this an especially serious cause for concern at this time.