Lopatka: Austrian citizens have many questions about Europe

Vienna, 7 February 2013 – Today, State Secretary Reinhold Lopatka will discuss current European topics with employees of Western Union in Vienna. “The EU is the future of our country. The better the EU functions and the more competitive Europe gets, the greater the benefit for every Austrian citizen. My goal is to convey these facts to the citizens while also listening to their concerns and anxieties. This is why I visit companies all over Austria to face up to the most burning questions that people have”, said State Secretary Lopatka during his “DARUM EUROPA” information tour of the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

“Precisely this afternoon, the European Heads of State and Government are negotiating the next EU budget for the period from 2014 – 2020 at the summit in Brussels. Negotiations are currently coming in for landing, but are not yet safely on the ground”, said State Secretary Lopatka.

All over Europe, countries have to tighten their belts, which is why many countries have approached the negotiating table with strong demands. “Austria, too, has clear expectations with regard to rural development and our discount”, said the State Secretary.

President of the European Council Hermann van Rompuy will present a new, revised proposal as part of the negotiations. “Van Rompuy has also said during the debate that further budget cuts are unavoidable and will yet have to be discussed in detail. Personally, I am in favour of cutting EU administrative expenses – we still have some leeway in this area”, Lopatka continued. 

In his speech, State Secretary Lopatka also emphasised the many benefits for Austria that had resulted from its EU membership and that the Austrian economy has also profited from.   

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