Austria denies blackmailing EU

Austria's government, including members of the Freedom Party

Austria's government has rejected suggestions that its planned referendum means it is preparing to block European Union decisions, if the EU sanctions are not lifted.

Austria's Chancellor, Wolfgang Schuessel, insisted that the poll was not a disguised threat to use the veto.

It is certainly not in Austria's interest to practise such blackmail

French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

The Foreign Minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said there was no way Austria would block the enlargement of the EU, which she said was in Austria's interest.

France, currently the EU president, has warned Austria not to use its veto to blackmail the EU over planned reforms.

'Constructive'

Ms Ferrero-Waldner insisted that Vienna would not block EU business, denying the wording of the referendum was an attempt to pressure or blackmail the EU.

Should the government, as part of the impending reform of the EU Treaty, ensure with all suitable means that the sanctions unjustly imposed on Austria by other member states of the European Union be immediately lifted?

Austrian referendum question

"If you look at the questions which will be submitted... you will see that there is no possibility of blocking EU decisions."

"We have said clearly that we will continue to follow a constructive European policy," she said.

The referendum

Austria announced on Tuesday that it would hold its referendum on the EU sanctions.

Voters in the referendum will be asked six questions, the first of which is: "Should the government, as part of the impending reform of the EU Treaty, ensure with all suitable means that the sanctions unjustly imposed on Austria by other member states of the European Union be immediately lifted?"

The 14 other EU member countries froze bilateral political contacts with Vienna on 4 February after Mr Schuessel formed a coalition with the Freedom Party, which was lead by Joerg Haider and is widely considered to be racist and xenophobic.

The stand-off has overshadowed EU business ever since.

French warning

France, which currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, warned Austria on Wednesday against trying to pressure the union into dropping political sanctions.

"It is certainly not in Austria's interest to practise such blackmail," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne Gazeau-Secret said.

Ms Gazeau-Secret said France would ensure Austria could continue functioning as a member of the EU, "as a continuation of the practice established by the Portuguese presidency."

EU leaders have agreed sanctions will remain until a panel of three legal experts reports on the human rights situation in Austria and the political views of the Freedom Party.