H.E. Christian Ebner, Ambassador of Austria to Serbia

Austria has been, and will remain, a reliable partner in Europe and beyond. In these volatile times, but also a period marking the beginning of a new institutional cycle at the EU level, this is all the more important ~ Christian Ebner

With the formation of a new Austrian government expected soon, Austria’s ambassador to Serbia says that Vienna will not be changing its policy regarding EU expansion to encompass the Western Balkans. Noting that Austria has supported this expansion for decades, he explains that it is also the aim of Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg’s “Friends of the Western Balkans” initiative. Speaking in this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Ebner insists that “the enlargement process continues to be based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of candidate countries’ own merits.”

Your Excellency, following parliamentary elections in Austria, could it be said that the country has shifted to the right politically; and to what extent will the new balance of power on the political scene influence Austria’s policies, both domestically and, in particular, on the foreign policy front?

— Following the national elections of 29th September, we are now in the process of forming a new government. No party secured an absolute majority, and thus a number of coalition options are on the table. The outcome of coalition negotiations, just like the priorities of a new government, remain to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Austria has been, and remains, a reliable partner in Europe and beyond. This is all the more important in these volatile times, as well as at the beginning of a new institutional cycle at the EU level. When it comes to foreign and security policies, as well as European policy, Austria stands as a reliable partner.

Austrian foreign policy is based on the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights. International law and the UN Charter are the cornerstone of our international engagement. We will continue advocating unequivocally in favour of the rules-based international order. This includes Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Middle East and the security of Israel, as well as our strong commitment to an active EU neighbourhood and enlargement policy, particularly in the Western Balkans.

Illegal migration was one of the key issues in the Austrian elections, with suggestions that Austria would tighten its border controls even more. Considering that Austria and Serbia work together closely in this area, should we expect changes to this bilateral cooperation?

— Illegal migration remains one of the biggest challenges for Austria, but also for the EU as a whole. We are grateful to all our partners who work with us to address this issue. Migration cannot be tackled by any country on its own. We are therefore thankful for our excellent trilateral cooperation with Serbia and Hungary on border management and we are eager to continue this successful collaboration. FRONTEX will play an increasingly important role in supporting impacted countries in the management of the EU’s external and adjacent borders and the fight against cross-border crime. Furthermore, we also appreciate Serbia’s commitment to harmonising its visa regime with the EU acquis.

Austria is the third largest foreign investor, behind China and the Netherlands. There is a significant difference, though, as the more than 800 Austrian companies in Serbia have created about 24,600 jobs, and that number is growing

The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum provides a framework that better reflects modern realities in this field, enabling us to respond more effectively to these challenges. Unfortunately, due to the increasing number of interconnected global crises, migration will continue to be one of the most pressing issues, requiring constant attention and possibly new measures.

The tenth anniversary of the Berlin Process initiative, in which Austria is a partner country, was commemorated recently. How would you assess the achievements of this initiative to date?

— The Berlin Process is an important format for advancing the gradual integration of the Western Balkan states into the European Union. We are proud to have been a partner in this process since its inception. It has consistently driven regional economic integration, helping create the Western Balkan Six Common Regional Market. We very much welcome the recent unlocking of CEFTA, as well as the signing of the new action plan for the Common Regional Market at this year’s summit in Berlin, just a few weeks ago. The better the Common Regional Market functions, the better the Western Balkan economies can be integrated into the European Single Market. This is also the rationale behind the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which bolsters national reform plans with approximately six billion euros of EU investments in the region.

There is a common belief across the Western Balkans that the EU accession process is moving too slowly, despite declarations of new momentum for enlargement. How realistic is it for any of the countries in the region to join the EU, and what will this depend on primarily?

— Austria firmly believes that the EU enlargement success story must continue. We will therefore continue to provide full support for the swift EU accession of the Western Balkan states. To expedite this integration, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg launched the “Friends of the Western Balkans” initiative, including a group of seven EU foreign ministers and serving as a dynamic catalyst for gradual integration over the past year. The goal of the Friends of the Western Balkans is to ensure the benefits of EU membership are felt more quickly and are accessible to people.

Nevertheless, the enlargement process continues to be based on fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of each country’s own merits. It requires candidate countries to implement complex reforms in many areas, such as the rule of law, the economy, and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Candidate countries also have to develop their administrative structures. In addition, reconciliation, good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation are of the utmost importance.

Since Serbia’s democratic changes of the year 2000, Austria has been among the leading investors in the country’s economy. Although Austria still ranks high on the list, China currently holds the top position, accounting for a third of all FDI. Do you view this as a potential problem in relations with Serbia or as a greater challenge for Austrian investors?

— Over 50 per cent of foreign investment in the Western Balkans currently goes to Serbia, which attracted inflows exceeding a value of four billion euros in 2022 and 2023. Serbia is clearly becoming an increasingly popular destination for international investors. Austria is the third largest foreign investor, behind China and the Netherlands.

Serbs have been living in Austria, and Austrians in Serbia, for a long time, linked not only by families, but also by common interests like work, culture, music, food and sports

There is a significant difference, though, as the more than 800 Austrian companies in Serbia have created about 24,600 jobs, and that number is growing. Austrian companies have also established a strong network of people-to-people connections over the years. Moreover, Serbs have been living in Austria, and Austrians in Serbia, for a long time, linked not only by families, but also by common interests like work, culture, music, food and sports.

One of the more recent examples of cooperation between Austrian and Serbian businesses is the establishment of a joint transport company by Austrian Railways (ÖBB) and Serbia’s Transfera. This partnership is expected to bring logistical innovations to the transport sector. Could you elaborate on what this entails?

— The Austrian Rail Cargo Group is an end-to-end mobility and logistics service provider with over 100 years of experience in 18 European countries. It provides impressive rail sector knowhow and an extensive pan-European railway network offering single-source rail transport solutions across national borders. Since August 2024, Rail Cargo Group has been operating an intermodal train between Rijeka, Croatia and Belgrade. Both Rail Cargo Group and its Serbian partner, Transfera, which is the second largest freight forwarding company in Serbia, recognise the great potential of intermodal transport. Goods loaded in containers are brought to partner terminals by truck and loaded onto trains before commencing their journey to Rijeka and vice versa.

For tomorrow’s green future, Rail Cargo Group and Transfera are working intensively together to promote a modal shift. Digitalisation and innovation are the drivers when it comes to getting even more goods onto rails.