Prague, Sept 8 (CTK) – Austrian presidential candidate Norbert Hofer (Freedom Party of Austria, FPOe) told Czech Radio (CRo) on Thursday he shared President Milos Zeman’s doubts when it comes to the topic of migration.
Hofer said he would meet Zeman during his visit to the Czech Republic on Monday.
The Presidential Office said earlier it had been Hofer who asked for the meeting.
“We have similar doubts when it comes to the topic of migration. Humanity to refugees, yet, but no to overburdening of our own countries,” Hofer said.
He said people who are persecuted, not those who are coming for a better livelihood should be let in Europe.
Hofer said not building of any fences or other barriers, but a comprehensive and joint protection of EU outer border was a solution to the migrant crisis.
He said he did not want Austria to leave the EU, but he was for its thorough reform.
Hofer said if he became the president, he would stress cooperation with the neighbouring countries that were doing well economically, which was also the Czech Republic’s case.
He said he was interested in the closest cooperation of the two countries both in politics and economy.
When it comes to the Czech nuclear plants, fiercely opposed by Austrian anti-nuclear activists and most of the public opinion, Hofer stressed the need of safety and to introduce European safety standards.
When asked whether he would come up against the Czech Republic over the nuclear energy if he were elected, he repeated that this was no task for a president.
It is central for Austria not to have dangerous nuclear plants near its borders, Hofer said.
In May, Hofer lost with the narrowest margin to Greens’ leader Alexander Van der Bellen.
However, due to problems in the calculation of the votes sent by mail the Austrian Constitutional Court cancelled the election.
Zeman has welcomed the step and backed Hofer. “I do not deny that I sided with Hofer because I do not like Greens’ parties,” Zeman has said.
The repeated election will be held in Austria on October 2.
It is unclear in what capacity Hofer will come to Prague. At present, he is one of the deputy chairpersons of the Austrian parliament and a member of the collective head of the state.
Hofer’s spokesman Martin Glier told CTK on Thursday that Hofer would come to Prague as “an Austrian politician.”
Glier said during the “friendly visit,” Hofer would speak about “everything possible” with Zeman.
It is evident that the discussion may touch upon such topics as the migrant crisis and the forthcoming presidential election in Austria, he added.
