Lisbon / Brussels / Vienna, 29/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Council Antonio Guterres, when questioned on the subject of the Jörg Haider's surprise resignation from the leadership of his party, the FPÖ, affirmed on Tuesday in Lisbon that it was too soon to "analyse the exact significance of this event". "For now, our position remains unchanged", said the Portuguese Prime Minister regarding the decision of the fourteen other EU Member States, taken on 31 January, to freeze their bilateral relations with Austria following the FPÖ's entry to government.
European Parliament President Nicole Fontaine said she "noted" Jörg Haider's resignation and followed this with the remark that the future will tell whether this is just "political skill or whether it is a first positive sign of the awareness of a large part of Austrian public opinion and of the moral pressure exerted by Austria's European partners and by the European institutions". "Vigilance" is still required, she added.
The spokesperson for the European Commission made it clear that Mr Haider's resignation in no way changes the Commission's position. It had from the beginning affirmed its attitude would be determined by the actions and the decisions of the Austrian government, which signed a clear and explicit declaration regarding respect of the EU's fundamental principles. The Commission remains confident this declaration will be fully honoured. The internal movements of a political party have no influence on this.
Jörg Haider had announced to the press late Monday evening his decision to resign from the FPÖ presidency, saying he wished to prevent "our ministers always being confronted by declarations whereby they must, for each decision, refer back to the shadow chancellor in Carinthia". Mr Haider said this resignation did not mean he was withdrawing from politics and that he would remain true to the coalition pact signed with Chancellor Schüssel. Haider's successor at the head of the FPÖ will be Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Riess-Passer.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Schüssel pointed out that Jörg Haider had explained to him the reasons for his decision, saying above all that he wished to continue the governmental coalition and that he wished to attenuate the tension with the countries of the European Union. "I do not believe that this is a game or just tactics on Mr Haider's part, but a serious offer in order to alleviate pressure on the government", said Wolfgang Schüssel after the meeting of the Council of Ministers.