The Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday that Austria will send up to ten soldiers from the federal army to the EU military partnership mission in Niger. “We must fly the flag,” stressed Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP).
In addition, the Council of Ministers decided to provide up to 30 additional soldiers for preparation and up to 20 more for air transport.
fight against terrorists
The EU wants to give the West African country more support in the fight against terrorists and thus stabilize the Sahel region. According to EU information, the operation, dubbed EUMPM Niger, will help set up a training center and a new communications and command support battalion, among other things.
Participation limited to the end of 2024
It is initially designed for three years. The cost to the EU community is estimated at EUR 27.3 million. Austria’s participation in the EU mission is initially limited to 31 December 2024.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) said in a broadcast: “If we want to prevent flight and illegal migration, we have to take a preventive approach. And here Austria can make a valuable contribution in Niger to prevent terrorism in the long term and thus contain the threat to Europe and make a positive contribution to greater stability and resilience in the Sahel region.”
According to the broadcast, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) said the geopolitical environment had become rougher due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “As the EU, we should not leave the field to other actors, but we should continue to fly the flag. With its participation, Austria strengthens security in Niger, which also means more security for Europe.”
Source: Krone
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