Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) made it clear Monday afternoon at the opening of the “European Forum Alpbach” that the sanctions against Russia must be maintained. This is an important question and he gives a clear answer: “We have to do it.”
According to the head of government, the question of whether the sanctions affect Russia more than the EU is justified. The fact that appropriate measures are needed is out of the question for him, so Nehammer.
The Russian aggression in the Ukraine already dominated the opening of the forum, which runs for around two weeks under the title “New Europe” and brings 600 scholarship holders, experts from a wide variety of subject areas and top politicians from home and abroad to the Tyrolean mountains.
Sandu: All of Europe must help Ukraine
Guest at the opening was the President of the Republic of Moldova, which as a neighboring country was particularly challenged by a large number of displaced people from Ukraine. Maia Sandu’s message was that all of Europe must help Ukraine, because Ukrainians are defending all of Europe.
When asked about the danger posed to her country by Russia, Sandu indicated a certain powerlessness. Of course, the risks are high, nobody can feel safe. Moldova is a fragile democracy without a strong defense. The President appealed all the more to offer her country, like Ukraine, real prospects of joining the EU. She thanked several times that it had finally become possible to obtain candidate status.
Video: ORF reporter Andreas Mayer-Bohusch reports from Forum Alpbach
Nehammer: Must maintain contact with Russia
Nehammer In this context, he also emphasized how important it is to offer the entire Western Balkans a similar perspective. The Chancellor referred to the tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Kosovo. Everything must now be done to ensure that the war does not spread from the eastern borders of Europe to the center of the continent. Advertised once more Nehammer for continuing negotiations, also in the Ukraine conflict. Although there will not be an end to the war anytime soon, contact with Russia must also be maintained.
Sandu also called on the EU to make greater efforts against disinformation. This has become one of the greatest threats. The President also emphasized that Europe needs to speed up its energy security.
Before that, the President of the Forum, Andreas Treichl, made a plea for a strong European defense architecture of its own. He appreciates NATO, but Europe must be able to protect its own borders on its own.
Source: Nachrichten
