§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the response of (a) the UK and (b) the President of the European Commission to the possibility of the Freedom Party attaining Government office in Austria. [108641]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 4 February 2000]: The UK has made very clear our deep concern and distaste at the inclusion of Haider's far-right party in the Austrian Government. We welcome the fact that the new government has committed itself to abiding by the common obligations and values of EU membership, but we will be judging it by its future actions. We also support the Commission statement on this issue. The measures which Britain agreed on 31 January with the 13 other member states are now a force to limit bilateral contact with Austria.