Address by Austrian Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen on the Occasion of the New Year s Reception for the Diplomatic Corps

Transcription

1 Address by Austrian Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen on the Occasion of the New Year s Reception for the Diplomatic Corps 2 February 2017 Ceremonial Hall of the Vienna Hofburg

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3 Check Against Delivery! Most Reverend Apostolic Nuncio, Federal Minister Kurz, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Today is the first time that I have the honour of welcoming the Diplomatic Corps on the occasion of the New Year s reception at the Vienna Hofburg. At this time I also would like to thank you very much, Most Reverend Apostolic Nuncio, as the doyen of our Diplomatic Corps, for your good wishes. I would like to start my remarks by wishing all guests gathered here, your families, as well as the countries you represent, a prosperous and peaceful 2017! Allow me to sketch out a few priorities of Austrian foreign policy for this new year. At the beginning of 2017, Austria assumed the OSCE Chairmanship. As a neutral country with extensive experience in serving as a bridge builder and platform for dialogue, we set three goals for ourselves for this year. Firstly, we would like to contribute to defusing existing open and frozen conflicts. Secondly, we would like to contribute to the fight against radicalisation and extremism by focusing on young people, in particular. And thirdly, we want to see confidence-building measures in all three dimensions of the OSCE.

4 We are convinced that as a proven forum for dialogue among its 57 member states, the OSCE serves as a suitable instrument to counteract the loss of trust that we perceive on many different levels these days and to convey hope for renewed coexistence. When we speak of unresolved issues, the developments in eastern Ukraine fill us with great concern, of course. It is highly regrettable that thus far, hardly any progress has been made in implementing the Minsk Agreement and that the agreed ceasefire is violated so frequently. Consequently, we have to ask ourselves what kind of incentives we can create for the parties to this conflict to enable a peaceful solution. Austria is of the firm opinion that numerous international and regional problems can be resolved only together with Russia. Therefore, we consider good relations with the Russian Federation to be important. This must not prevent us from stating that the illegal annexation of Crimea constitutes a violation of international law and to call for a cessation of the support for armed formations in eastern Ukraine. We also remind Ukraine, however, to fulfil its obligations set forth in the Minsk Agreement. The Middle East must continue to figure at the very top of the international diplomatic agenda this year: In recent weeks, we have witnessed far-reaching developments in the war in Syria. Military confrontations over the control of eastern

5 Aleppo have clearly demonstrated that the parties to this conflict still continue to believe in a military solution to this civil war, despite paying lip service to the contrary. I am convinced that a solution cannot be found in this way. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an international conference took place recently in Paris. Fifty years after the Six-Day War, no solutions could be presented once again; instead, it was necessary to insist on political will to solve this conflict. A peaceful solution, negotiated on the basis of the UN resolutions, past agreements and international law, would make a crucial contribution towards stability in this region. Austria and the EU will continue to make every effort in supporting the implementation of a two-state solution. As 2016 drew to a close, outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon paid a visit to Vienna. This was his last working visit as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and I had the honour to meet with him. Austria has always appreciated tremendously the active commitment of Mr. Ban, who maintains a special friendship with our country, and we wish him the very best for his future. Last October, the UN General Assembly appointed the former Portuguese Prime Minister and High-Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres as the next Secretary-General. I am particularly pleased to see an active human rights defender at the top of this international organisation. Austria as a home to UN headquarters and I myself will continue, of course, to work as closely as possible together with the United Nations and its Secretary-General.

6 Austria plays a leading role in the world as the home of international organisations, especially as one of the four UN headquarters. Therefore, we are confident that we will soon be able to welcome the new UN Secretary General here in Vienna. In 2015 we marked the 70th commemoration of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nuclear weapons are the most horrendous weapons of mass destruction and they must never be used again. Averting the threat of a nuclear war remains an issue of survival for all of mankind. As an important contribution in this respect, negotiations within the United Nations on the prohibition of nuclear weapons under international law will take place for the first time this year. We are aware of the fact that such a treaty by itself will not lead to disarmament. However, the analogy to other already prohibited weapons demonstrates that a treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons constitutes the right first step towards achieving a shift in mentality and launching a process towards complete nuclear disarmament. It is with great interest that we are now looking also upon the United States where President Donald Trump took over government affairs with a new team several days ago. In view of numerous pointed statements during the election campaign as well as after his election, many people wonder what US foreign policy will look like in the future. Given the many crises and conflicts worldwide, we hope that US

7 foreign policy will continue to be characterised by the wish for close cooperation including on the multilateral level and mutual respect. For Austria, it represents an important goal of foreign policy to further develop cooperation between the European Union and Africa. At the EU-Africa Summit in November 2017 in Abidjan, we look forward to joint discussions on improving opportunities for young people on both continents. As the year begins, I frequently hear the wish for a good year 2017 addressed to the European Union the wish that the EU may do better than That s when I listen up, as this touches and encourages me at the same time. On the one hand, I can hear the concern in these wishes, a concern for the EU as something meaningful and cherished. On the other, a wish and a mandate emanate from this concern: to secure the future of the European Union. Those who are concerned about the EU myself included look back on a year of unprecedented difficulty. In the face of high unemployment in many member states, Brexit, radicalisation and terrorism, the loss of trust in the European Union that developed in previous years has deepened even more. However, it is important to me that a look back also shows that despite multiple crises, the EU reacted decisively in all areas within an enormously short time, took measures and created effective

8 instruments. Difficulties must not obstruct our view of what has been achieved: we are working through an action plan in the area of migration policy; we created a Trust Fund for Africa, as well as a European Border and Coast Guard; we are negotiating the introduction of a new EU-wide Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS); the Common European Asylum System is being reformed; and we are working through the European Agenda on Security to fight terrorist threats and a European Defence Action Plan. Today the European debate is determined less by the discussion of institutional reforms and more by how to tackle acute crises and urgent issues. EU citizens expect cooperation, cohesion and better results from the European Union. Efficient policy-making on current issues takes priority and constitutes an early input for future in-depth reforms. Turkey is and remains an important partner for Europe, whether in the economy, migration, security or regional issues. Therefore, a Turkey based on democratic principles is essential for us, last but not least in order to ensure stability in this region. We unequivocally condemned the attempted coup and recognise Turkey s fight against terrorism. In our view, however, arbitrary acts of purging, and restricting freedom of the press are not acceptable. Consequently, Austria is very concerned about the dramatic developments in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

9 Traditionally, Austria s active support of the Western Balkan countries assumes a high level of importance in Austrian foreign policy, and Austria s positions on the next steps of individual countries in the framework of the rapprochement process with the EU are known. Last year, the EU enlargement process achieved significant progress Bosnia and Herzegovina s application for membership was forwarded to the European Commission, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo entered into force, and further chapters in the accession process with Serbia and Montenegro were opened. Much remains to be done, and 2017 will be another important year for this region. Fostering relations with the countries in our close and immediate neighbourhood constitutes one of the constant pillars of Austrian foreign policy. This neighbourly cooperation encompasses many practical plans and projects and allows us to contribute very concretely to a further deepening of integration in the heart of Europe. I will endeavour to make my contribution to dynamically pursue and further develop this policy of good relations with our neighbours. Therefore, I very much look forward to the encounters and cooperation with my counterparts from Austria s neighbouring countries.

10 The achievements of creative artists play a major role in Austria s self-image. Against this backdrop, active international cultural work represents an essential element of our friendly international exchanges and a main pillar of Austrian foreign policy. With its long-standing and proactive commitment to protecting human rights and promoting intercultural dialogue, Austria has gained international recognition as a bridge builder and will firmly continue on this path. The protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms faces complex challenges, both nationally and internationally, especially in view of the high number of armed conflicts and the dire misery faced by millions of people, as well as the rise in terrorist threats and the tangible barriers which, in part, penetrate deep into the free spaces of civil society. With Austria s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term dedicated to the motto Building Bridges for Human Rights, Austria seeks to again assume responsibility within the central human rights body of the United Nations. I would like to ask for the support of your governments for this important candidacy. The rule of law is also of particular concern to Austria in international relations because it serves as the foundation for peaceful coexistence. Hence, Austria has always advocated for the respect of

11 international law, including human rights, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. The rise in terrorist attacks in 2016 demonstrates the importance of fighting radicalisation and extremism. In Europe, it was especially Germany, France and Turkey that were affected by these inhumane acts against innocent victims. In Austria, we know that combating terrorism and violent extremism goes far beyond pure policing. It requires a comprehensive approach that takes all of society into account by imparting values that deprive radicalisation of its breeding ground. Here, international cooperation with the European Union, the United Nations as well as the OSCE is particularly significant. In this context, I would like to extend my empathy especially to the many victims of these terrorist attacks around the world, and above all also to the bereaved, regardless of their race, religion or world views. And I would like to add that a democratic constitutional state becomes weak only when it lets terror lead to sacrificing its own principles for the sake of allegedly combating terrorism only then would terrorists have gained a victory. The unresolved political issues in the Middle East and North Africa are also the reason many people are fleeing the region. Apart from

12 the time right after World War II, their numbers reached unprecedented levels in Europe during 2015 and From Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan alone, there are several million refugees seeking refuge in the vicinity of their home countries. In 2015, about 700,000 refugees also entered Austrian territory on their migration towards Central Europe; around 90,000 sought asylum here. Despite numerous measures, roughly 42,000 more people sought asylum in Austria in 2016, with a significant decrease during the second half of the year. In Austria, the rates of granting asylum varied considerably last year as well; for some third countries, they amount to nearly 90%; for some other countries of origin they are distinctly lower. Thus, Austria continues to fulfil its humanitarian responsibility. The fundamental mindset to help people in need has been proven time and again in Austrian history. In the context of granting asylum, however, maintaining this mindset in the long run requires fighting the causes of migration vigorously, and at the same time ensuring a fair and just distribution of the burden that results from handling the right to asylum in ways that comply with human rights. For 2017, too, this is precisely the Maltese Council Presidency s goal, which Austria supports. In order to meet these challenges, the funds for development cooperation will be increased. By 2021, the bilateral funds of the Austrian Development Agency will be doubled to 154 million euros.

13 The funds of the Foreign Disaster Relief Fund have already been quadrupled to be able to help an even larger number of people. Excellencies, I would again like to wish you and the countries you represent all the best and thank you very much for your attention.

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16 Österreichische Präsidentschaftskanzlei 2017