Foreign Minister Schallenberg does not expect the war to end anytime soon and warns that Europe must not “have a false sense of security”.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg does not expect the war in Ukraine to end quickly. In the summer one might have believed that this could lead to a less intense war of attrition, he said Thursday at the National Council’s Foreign Policy Committee, but after the last level of escalation it is clear that a peace solution is in the works. farther than ever. However, Schallenberg was convinced that a solution could only be reached at the negotiating table. It is “dangerous” to dismiss ceasefire calls as ridiculous, he warned.
According to Schallenberg, it is still unclear whether Austria will participate in the planned EU peacekeeping mission in the border area between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The decision on that will only be made, he said, but he himself has shown a preference for an assignment. He also confirmed Austria’s ambition to run again for a seat on the UN Security Council within two years.
Regarding reports of a possible arrest of Austrians during the demonstrations in Iran, Schallenberg informed parliamentarians that, according to information from the Iranian side, an Austrian citizen had already been arrested for almost a week. The arrest was not made in connection with the current demonstrations, but was based on other allegations. Itamaraty is trying to get in touch with the interested party, but has not yet been able to.
The basis for discussion in the committee was the Foreign and European Policy Report 2021 (III-770 dB), which was finally accepted against the FPÖ votes. The report is still “hot from the press”, so to speak, said committee chair Pamela Rendi-Wagner, alluding to the fact that it was sent to the National Council a few days ago. The range of topics covered in the report is wide, and several foreign policy fields were also covered in the course of today’s deliberations. Delegates’ questions to the minister ranged from Austrian policy towards China to development cooperation and the renovation of UNO-City.
Schallenberg for unity, sense of proportion and strong nerves
Regarding the EU’s attitude towards Russia in reaction to the war in Ukraine, Schallenberg referred to three key factors in his opinion in the coming months: “unity, a sense of proportion and strong nerves”. Until now, the Western community of values had been “very closed”, he said, but maintaining that it would not be easy due to different interests in EU member states. But Austria will continue to fight for that unity. Europe must not feel “a false sense of security”, warned the foreign minister. The danger of an internationalization of the conflict has not been avoided, as shown by Russia’s use of Iranian drones.
However, Schallenberg also considers it important not to lose the external dimensions. For example, he spoke out against “automatic sanctions” and opposed taking the Russian population “into the custody of the clan” through a general refusal of visas. Austria’s objective is not “the destruction of Russia”, but the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the minister said.
According to Schallenberg, linking the gas trade agreements to sanctions against Russia was a “serious strategic mistake on Putin’s part.” In his view, Putin showed two things in doing so: on the one hand, he admitted that sanctions had hurt him. On the other hand, he made it clear that commercial and business contracts were of no value to him. This was not even the case in Soviet times. In this sense, the minister also considers it “dangerous illusory” to believe that, if sanctions are lifted, Europe will be able to return to the “paradise of peace” that it was before the start of the war.
Both Austria and the EU are under observation, the minister stressed. The way Europe is now appearing and perceived will continue to have an effect for decades to come. According to Schallenberg, it is important to make it clear to third countries that sanctions against Russia are not to blame for the sometimes absurdly high prices of some goods. After all, there are no sanctions on grains, oilseeds, fertilizers or gas.
It is obvious to Schallenberg that the sanctions are really working. Entire industries in Russia would be “devastated”, he said. However, the exact extent of the impact is difficult to estimate as Russia has ceased working with international financial organizations.
Schallenberg also expressly pledged to continue humanitarian aid to Ukraine. According to him, Austria ranks among the “best four” in Europe per capita when it comes to hosting Ukrainian war refugees.
Schallenberg currently sees no signs that Belarus will intervene militarily in the Ukraine war. But it is an area of Russian troop deployment. He said the EU had already made it clear that sanctions would be tightened if Belarus became more involved in the conflict. Austria would also continue to support Belarusian civil society.
More budget for foreign disaster funds
However, Austria should also look at other pain points, Schallenberg stressed, pointing to North Korea’s threatening gestures, the conflict between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the situation in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the “dangerous game of food and gasoline prices” has enormous repercussions on the African continent.
In this context, Schallenberg welcomed the planned increase in budget funds for both the foreign disaster fund and development cooperation. According to him, another 12 million euros for development cooperation and another 20 million euros for
humanitarian aid available. On-the-spot help is also important so that those affected “do not hand over their fate to ruthless traffickers”, the minister bowed on the subject of migration and asylum.
According to Schallenberg, repatriation agreements are currently being negotiated with around 30 countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, India and Mongolia. However, many states wanted to see the negotiations more broadly and, in addition to repatriations, also want to talk about visa facilitation, for example, for diplomats or students. The minister also expects that migratory pressure via Turkey will continue to increase.
“show border”
Regarding the suppression of protests in Iran, the Foreign Minister reiterated the need to “take a firm stand” and “show an advantage”. In this context, he referred to the EU sanctions that had been passed, the summons of the Iranian ambassador and the travel advisory issued to Iran. He also had a lengthy conversation with Iran’s foreign minister in New York, Schallenberg reported.
The minister is not very optimistic about the Iran nuclear deal. Although 98% of the deal is in place, the trend is going in the opposite direction, he said, expressing doubts that Iran still has an interest in the deal. According to Schallenberg, he himself is of the opinion that insufficient agreement is still better than no agreement.
Once again, Schallenberg campaigned for the Western Balkans to be more closely linked to the EU. The war in Ukraine also risks destabilizing the situation in the western Balkans, he said. The most important thing Austria can do is support civil society. Many states have a big problem with the “brain drain” because so many young people are leaving the country. The minister also called for visa liberalization for Kosovo.
Nav-Account red, wil Time20.10.2022, 16:33| Act: 10/20/2022, 16:33