Austrian president warns against "slipping back into small-state mentality"

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Thursday warned European Union (EU) countries of the dangers of "slipping back into small-state mentality."

"European unification is the best idea we have ever had," said Van der Bellen in a speech marking the Alpine country's 25th anniversary of joining the EU. "It would be an unforgivable mistake slipping back into small-state mentality."

The president pointed out that there was a lack of European spirit in some places at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, whereas the challenges, such as how to get out of high unemployment rate and what kind of globalization people want after the pandemic, require common efforts and answers.

He said that the first EU coronavirus aid package of 540 billion euros (587 billion U.S. dollars) "is just the beginning," and a second package, the "Recovery Fund," is currently being negotiated.

"We need solutions that are as ambitious as possible," he added.

The president emphasized that the EU could only find something of global relevance and global political capacity together.