Nepp: Europe needs a political 'reset,' we don't see Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo in the EU

The leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) in Vienna, Dominik Nepp, emphasized that Europe needs a "political reset." The goal of the new parliamentary group in the European Parliament, "Patriots for Europe," initiated by his party along with Viktor Orban and Andrej Babiš, is to fight for the restoration of sovereignty and freedom of member states. When it comes to EU enlargement, he states that only Serbia can join, if its citizens decide so, while for others, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, there is no place in the Union.

"The faction 'Patriots for Europe' is the cornerstone for a successful patriotic story. It must finally be guaranteed that peoples are put at the center of political interest. Europeans must be given back the future of the continent by redefining European politics," Nepp said in a statement for Kosovo online.

He emphasizes that sovereignty must be placed above federalism, and freedom above dictates.

"Of course, we must fully advocate for peace in Europe," Nepp stressed.

That is why it is important for all patriotic and national forces to join the new faction, Nepp noted.

"I congratulate the head of the FPO delegation in the European Parliament, Harald Vilimsky, who played a significant role in the creation of the new faction. I am impressed by the great interest of parties close to our FPO. Viktor Orban, Andrej Babiš, Geert Wilders, Matteo Salvini, and Marine Le Pen have joined the new faction with their parties, sending a signal for a Europe of strong and sovereign homelands. With 84 deputies from 12 countries, 'Patriots for Europe' constitute the third strongest faction in the EP," he explained.

Nepp emphasized that the new strong alliance, enabled by the successes of patriotic parties in numerous EU member countries, represents a "warning" to the European Commission.

"Citizens have had enough of the conceited and self-satisfied politics of this European Union. At its head is a Commission that has never faced elections and has developed its own life in recent years that goes in a completely wrong direction. Instead of the 'United States of Europe,' for which it stands, a return to the union of sovereign countries is needed," Nepp stated.

Regarding the criticism from other Austrian parties about the creation of the new right-wing faction in the European Parliament, Nepp said that these parties want further centralization of the EU, advocate for mass immigration from the Arab world, and support warmongering in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"Our new faction 'Patriots for Europe' is a strong counterbalance and has great support from citizens. That is why there is such a struggle against the new faction," Nepp is convinced.

When asked about the concern that the new faction could be against EU enlargement, and what the FPO's position is on this issue, Nepp stressed that he sees the possibility of only Serbia's admission.

"Countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina have the status of a 'failed state,' Kosovo is not recognized as a state by Spain, Greece, and Romania... Therefore, the accession of these countries is unimaginable. When it comes to Serbia, it is a different matter. But the citizens of Serbia should decide whether they want to become part of the EU," Nepp stressed.

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections in Austria, Nepp emphasized that it would be very important to bring about a change of government.

"Citizens expect sincere changes, the end of the system of identical parties that care only about themselves, and a real political reset. And that is only possible with a people's chancellor, Herbert Kickl, at the head of the federal government led by the FPO. Nehammer, Babler, and others advocate for 'continuation as before,' which means the destruction of prosperity, illegal mass immigration, erosion of neutrality, subordination to the EU, and a policy for which Austrians have to pay the price in all areas," he said.

When asked what a government led by the FPO would bring new to the citizens, he emphasized that the current "black-green" government must be held accountable.

"The revival of our sovereignty and the right to self-determination, as well as the strengthening of our neutrality through an additional element in our Constitution, the stopping of illegal mass migration from Arabia and Africa, and the preservation of hard-earned prosperity, social security, our identity, our values, and traditions are only possible under a government led by the FPO and a liberal people's chancellor," Nepp said.