Dendias Prefecture from Vienna: We are trying to create a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol

Austria, a landlocked state, has signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Law of the Sea, because it realizes that if we do not have rules, there is no other way, when at the same time countries with a large coastline do not have it. Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias pointed out from Vienna. In joint statements with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, the Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Austria “which is always useful and always has a positive voice in the Council [Υπουργών Εξωτερικών της ΕΕ]supporting neither Greece nor Cyprus, but International Law “.

During their meeting, the two Foreign Ministers discussed developments in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, they discussed the sanctions, “our coordinated response against the invasion,” as Nikos Dendias said. “We have a very clear position: everyone associated with the EU must abide by these sanctions,” he said, adding that “there can be no different level of involvement in this crisis.” “All states that accept international law and its rules should have a common position,” he said.

Introductory Nikos Dendias agreed with the Austrian Foreign Minister that “the huge Ukrainian crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine created a unity between the EU member states, which was unbelievable just a few days ago” and added that this situation raises great challenges.

In particular, the Foreign Minister focused on the Greek community in Mariupol and the surrounding area and the need to create humanitarian corridors for people wishing to leave the area. He made special reference to the important, as he said, Greek minority in Ukraine, and around Mariupol, about 150,000 people and thanked Alexander Salenberg for his compassion regarding the losses of Greek expatriates in the region. In fact, he suggested that “we try very hard to create a humanitarian corridor so that people who want to leave can leave.” He also stressed that Greece currently has a Consul General in Mariupol, “the last European diplomat there”, and said that there are difficult conditions for his removal from the region. “We are striving for the best,” he said.

Referring to a meeting he had earlier with OSCE Secretary General in Vienna Helga Smith, he said: “We are trying to see how we can finally open the humanitarian corridor.”

In addition, they referred to the care of refugees and stressed the readiness of Greece to do its part. On this occasion, he thanked Austria for its assistance in the immigration crisis of 2015 at the Greek border. “This shows that Austria is not an à la carte friend, but a country that helps other European countries in times of need,” said Nikos Dendias.

Beyond Ukraine, the two ministers discussed challenges in the wider region, with an emphasis on the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans is an important part, Nikos Dendias pointed out and thanked his counterpart for the open sympathy of Austria with the European agenda for the Western Balkans. “We always say that there is no other way but the European one. If we do not give up hope of joining the EU in the Western Balkans, these societies will be victims of temptations from other parts,” he said.

He also thanked his counterpart for the deep understanding of Austria in the challenges presented by Bosnia and Herzegovina and stressed that they must work together. He added that “we must try to complete the Agreement, so that negotiations between Albania and Northern Macedonia can finally begin”.

Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, he noted that although the situation in Ukraine is predominant, the challenges remain.

Finally, answering a relevant question about Russian gas, Nikos Dendias said that Greece relies on energy from Russia only 30%, adding that other countries depend more on our country. “I want to hear their views in the Council of Ministers before formulating an answer. We are trying to create a way in which there can be differentiation. [στην ενέργεια] in Europe “complemented and underlined the importance of liquefied natural gas units that can import gas from other sources.” We have two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals that can import liquefied natural gas from other sources, Algeria, Qatar, United States. “So, Europe may have a choice in the future, but I emphasize, in the future,” Nikos Dendias concluded.

Al. Salenberg: Let civilians evacuate safely and ensure access to humanitarian aid

The need for civilians to safely leave Ukrainian cities under Russian attack and to ensure access to humanitarian aid was highlighted by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Salenberg during a joint press conference with the Greek. Nikos Dendia. Mr Salenberg “unconditionally condemned the brutal attack on a neighboring country, the violence against civilians and the alleged violations of international law” and expressed his sorrow for the Greeks killed in Ukraine. Regarding the country’s European perspective, he clarified that “emotionally, Kiev’s position is completely understandable, but we must be careful not to create expectations that we can not later meet.”

“It’s a dark moment for Europe,” Salenberg said, noting, however, that “lately we have been learning and practicing more geopolitics than for many years” and welcomed the unity shown, both within and outside the country. outside the European Union. “Rarely in my career have I seen such a strong consensus in the EU, such a sense of solidarity and compassion,” he said, calling for civilians to leave the cities and for humanitarian aid to reach its destination.

Asked if Europe, like the United States, could impose a global ban on energy imports from Russia, the Austrian diplomat said the situation in Europe was different: “We are not just a neighboring region, but partly dependent on “energy production (…) but we have to be realistic,” he said, noting, however, that Austria does not rule out anything, while a fourth package of sanctions is now being worked out. “We are not at the end of the road,” he said.

Regarding Ukraine’s request to join the European Union, Alexander Salenberg said that the main topic of his talks three weeks ago was in Kyiv. “Emotionally, I fully understand the position of our friends in Kyiv. But we must be careful not to create expectations that we can not meet later. And be realistic, because nothing would change in terms of the terrible “Russia’s military attacks and the destruction suffered by the Ukrainians,” the Austrian minister explained, recalling that e.g. Bosnia and Herzegovina has not yet been granted candidate status. “We have to be careful what kind of messages we send to these countries,” he added.

With regard to the Western Balkans in particular, Salenberg warned that there, as in other regions such as Moldova, either the European, Western way of life or other systems of other countries, whether Russia or Russia, would prevail. Greece or Turkey and stressed the need for the region to join the EU as soon as possible. “Greece has taken a huge step with the Prespa Agreement in order to enable the progress of Northern Macedonia “Bulgaria will take the last steps because we are late in finally opening the accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia and moving forward with Bosnia and Herzegovina and settling the issue of visa liberalization with Kosovo,” he said. Salenberg, to note: “The war in Ukraine shows us that we should not wait too long, but go ahead and bring to the European family the countries closer and surrounded by Member States “.

Alexander Salenberg concluded by pointing out that there is no issue on which Vienna and Athens do not agree, while thanking his counterpart “for friendship and solidarity.”