Germany wants to abolish right of individual EU member states to veto

·

Germany’s foreign minister said on Monday the European Union should abolish the right of individual member states to veto foreign policy measures as the 27-nation bloc could not allow itself to be “held hostage.”

His comments, which came days after a more junior official criticised Hungary by name, reflect growing frustration in Berlin at the way in which EU member countries can prevent the bloc from acting in matters on which almost all members agree.

“We can’t let ourselves be held hostage by the people who hobble European foreign policy with their vetoes,” Heiko Maas told a conference of Germany’s ambassadors in Berlin.

Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas.

“If you do that then sooner or later you are risking the cohesion of Europe. The veto has to go, even if that means we can be outvoted.”

His remarks amount to a highly unusual rebuke by Germany of a fellow member-state. Germany, conscious of its economic and political heft within the EU, is normally very cautious about being seen to throw its weight for fear of seeming overbearing.

Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticising China’s new security law in Hong Kong, undermining the bloc’s efforts to confront Beijing’s restrictions of freedoms in the former British colony.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Labor’s Helen Politis elected Deputy Mayor of Merri-bek City Council

Labor's Helen Politis has been elected as Deputy Mayor of Merri-bek, marking a significant step for the seasoned community advocate.

Mario Christodoulou to executive produce ABC’s Media Watch

Award-winning investigative reporter Mario Christodoulou will become executive producer on the ABC's Media Watch program.

Socialist PASOK becomes Greece’s main opposition party as SYRIZA collapses

Left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as Greece's main opposition group after a wave of defections on Thursday, November 21.

80-year-old sole resident of Kinaros island gifted donkey as a companion

The sole resident of Greece's remote Kinaros island - 80-year-old Mrs Rinio - recently received an unexpected gift in the form of a donkey.

Thanasi Kokkinakis upset gives Australia shock Davis Cup win over US

A nail-biting win for Thanasi Kokkinakis has led Australia into the semi-finals of the Davis Cup in Spain.

You May Also Like

Yanis Varoufakis delivers keynote address at HACCI SA event

HACCI SA held a sold-out event with a keynote address by prominent economist and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.

Angeliki Galanopoulou among the top young writers in the Northern Territory

Angeliki Galanopoulou has been named among the best young writers at the City of Darwin's Young Territory Author Awards.

‘Shattered’: Kyrgios pulls out of singles draw at Atlanta Open

Citing a left knee injury, world no. 47, Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the singles draw at the Atlanta Open.