“Evaluate” Anyway – Nehammer Defends EU Sanctions to UN

In an interview with Austrian media at UN headquarters, Nehammer said: “Sanctions should not weaken us more than those for whom they are intended.” In general, the Chancellor stated: “Sanctions are the most peaceful form of protest and war and suffering shows that it cannot go on like this.” The war in Ukraine was caused by Russia, and Russian President Vladimir Putin “changed the circumstances by using gas as a weapon of war for the first time in history”.

“You see that people are frustrated”
The sanctions ensured that the countries involved in the imposition would not suffer. “That’s why there was no gas embargo with Austria, for example.” Nehammer did, however, notice certain signs of wear and tear in the Western and thus also Austrian population: “First of all, what you see is that people are getting frustrated because the sanctions are not yet in place. They have the effect we hoped for, namely that the war would end.” That takes patience.

At the same time, efforts must also be made to “build bridges” so that “the warring parties can talk to each other again”. The aim should be “to find a possibility of a ceasefire”.

‘Russian war of aggression changed everything’
Leading up to the major diplomatic event in New York, Schallenberg identified a “rupture” caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. Last year, the corona pandemic was still the dominant topic at the UN General Assembly, Schallenberg recalls. “At the time, we thought it was challenging enough. But the Russian war of aggression has changed everything.” A vital topic in New York is probably to make it clear to “allies” around the world that while this is a “war on European soil”, “it is by no means a European war.”

Nevertheless, in addition to the war in Ukraine, other issues such as climate change or food shortages would not be neglected, Schallenberg was convinced. After all, these questions are intertwined.

Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
During his stay in New York, Schallenberg also meets his colleagues from Armenia (Ararat Mirzoyan) and Azerbaijan (Dscheyhun Bayramov). Recently, there were “again very fierce military clashes” between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Schallenberg recalled. Russia plays an important role in the region and has soldiers stationed there. The question therefore arises: “What possibilities are there for us to have a de-escalating mediating effect here?”

Schallenberg will also meet his counterpart from Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, in New York on Wednesday. Nehammer commented on this in conversation with Austrian journalists: “It is useful and useful to negotiate with Africa in particular. You have to fight the causes of flight, which means you have to help the people on the ground. You shouldn’t even be on the road. And above all: they should not make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, where so many drown.”

Nehammer and Schallenberg traveled from Vienna to New York on Monday. On Monday evening (local time) Federal President Van der Bellen also arrived in the “Big Apple”. The head of state had previously attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London.

Visiting Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger
Nehammer (ÖVP) kicked off the General Assembly Monday afternoon (local time) with a speech at the “Transformation Education Summit” at UN headquarters on the Hudson River. Education is the “basis for peace and prosperity”, the chancellor emphasized, but also for “climate protection or technological change”. In the evening (local time), Nehammer was the guest of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (99). Schallenberg took part in the meeting of EU foreign ministers. Several bilateral and multilateral talks are planned for Van der Bellen, Nehammer and Schallenberg in New York on Tuesday and the days after.

Together they have an appointment with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday. Van der Bellen will also meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.

Starting Tuesday, the 77th UN General Assembly General Assembly debate will take place at United Nations headquarters, attended by more than 140 heads of state and government. Traditionally, Brazil’s Head of State (Jair Bolsonaro), US President (Joe Biden) and UN Secretary General (Guterres) deliver the first speeches.