(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 19 APR - The Italian ministry of Foreign Affairs, Angelino Alfano, has announced that the Austrian authorities have frozen the legislative procedure regarding the draft law on consulates. "We have learnt with satisfaction from the Austrian Foreign minister that the draft law was withdrawn," Alfano said.

The law had the aim of opening the Austrian consulates to German and Ladin-speaking population with Italian citizenship of South Tyrol.

The Austrian government has confirmed the withdrawal of the law, the news agency APA said, quoting the spokesperson of the Austrian ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thomas Schnoll. "The bill is still a draft and was forwarded by mistake to the Parliament, therefore we have withdrawn it," Schnoll explained. Schnoll added that "the project is still being discussed among the government coalition partners." (ANSA).

Austria's law to open consulates to S. Tyroleans sparks row
Biancofiore calls on Tajani. Serracchiani, 'dangerous step'

(ANSA) - TRIESTE - The draft bill that provides the opening of Austrian consulates to the German-speaking and Ladin-speaking inhabitants of South Tyrol: in the event the need it while they are staying abroad, they may turn to an Austrian consulate, even if in that country there is also an Italian diplomatic representation. Italian MP Michaela Biancofiore (Forza Italia), doesn't agree and ''calls on the President of the EU Parliament to intervene'', hoping that ''minister Alfano will rebuke the Austrian ambassador''. Debora Serracchiani (Pd) is also opposed to the bill: ''The Austrian Government is taking a dangerous step regarding German and Ladin-speaking Italian citizens. We have very strong protections for our minorities, who do not need additional tutors''. South Tyrolean governor Arno Kompatscher has a completely different opinion: ''For the South Tyroleans abroad - he says - that bill means receiving support in their mother tongue''.

According to EU directives, the EU citizens can turn to a consulate of another member state if their country does not have a diplomatic representation. The draft law on consular matters, which the Kurz government has alrealdy sent to Parliament, goes further: even in the presence of a diplomatic representation of the country of origin, the German-speaking and Ladin-speaking South Tyroleans will be able to choose which consulate to turn to, the Italian or the Austrian. They can ask for assistance in case of arrest, serious accident, illness or death, or even if they are victims of any crime.(ANSA).