§ 33. Mr. BradshawTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU colleagues about the new Government in Austria. [108563]
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§ Mr. VazThe Portuguese Prime Minister's statement on 31 January, based on consultations with his colleagues in the thirteen other member states of the EU was a signal of our joint concern about developments in Austria. I discussed developments directly with my EU colleagues including the Austrian Foreign Minister at the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 8 February.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Austrian Embassy in respect of the formation of the new coalition Government in Vienna; and if he will make a statement. [109125]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 9 February 2000]: My officials have been in touch with the Austrian Embassy in London and the Austrians are fully aware of Her Majesty's Governments reaction to the inclusion of the Freedom Party in the new Austrian Government.
I have made very clear over the last two weeks my deep concern and distaste at the inclusion in the Austrian Government of a far-right party which appeals to xenophobia. I have welcomed the fact that the new Austrian Government has committed itself to abiding by the common obligations and values of EU membership, to combating all forms of discrimination, and to dealing constructively with the country's Nazi past. But we will be watching them closely and judging them on whether they fulfil the commitments they have made.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recall the British Ambassador to Austria. [109816]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 11 February 2000]: We have no plans to recall the British Ambassador to Vienna.