In an unprecedented diplomatic demarche against a fellow EU member-state, 14 EU states have told Austria that it will face a partial diplomatic boycott if the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) is included in government. Coalition talks were continuing last night in Vienna between the FPO and the conservative People's Party under Dr Wolfgang Schussel.
A statement last night from the Portuguese Presidency on behalf of the 14 warned that inclusion of Dr Jorg Haider's FPO would lead to a refusal by them to meet Austrian ministers on a bilateral basis, a collective boycott of Austrian candidates for posts in international organisations, and denial of ministerial access to ambassadors.
The European Commission will meet in emergency session later today to discuss its response to the issue. The Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, has summoned his colleagues for talks in a bid to establish whether the Commission backs the move of the 14 member states.
"This is unprecedented. It is new territory. President Prodi will be holding a special meeting with other Commissioners tomorrow to discuss the matter and see where we go from here," said a Commission official last night.
A shocked Dr Schussel was last night trying to contact the Portuguese Foreign Minister and insisted: "I would find it strange if the 14 EU states would come to such a decision without consulting EU state Austria".
Dr Haider, a right-wing demagogue who has in the past praised aspects of Hitler's regime, led the FPO to a remarkable second place in the recent Austrian elections.
No statement was forthcoming last night from the Government beyond confirmation that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, had supported the initiative.
