The Western Balkans cannot be "left in a vacuum" because if that happens "other third powers will fill the gap", Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneisl warned from Vienna today, referring to Chinese infiltration into infrastructure and services. .
Karin Kneisl described the resolution of the Skopje name issue as "positive news", referring to "courageous decisions" that "need respect".
"We have had to deal with the Western Balkans since the Thessaloniki Summit," said Karin Kneisl, stressing that as 28 we must converge on our interests in the region and realize that it is in everyone's interest not to be left in a vacuum. the area".
He even noted that he will now refer to the region as "Southeast Europe" to emphasize the European perspective of the region.
He even stated, in relation to the decisions of the General Affairs Council, that he had talked "with Dutch and French colleagues and I do not understand their hesitation". He concluded by saying that on August 30-31 (Gymnich) "we will focus on the Western Balkans for the best we can do for the region".
"I have known the phrase 'we must first deepen and then expand' 'for 38 years" and "I remember from the first moment the French diplomacy being in favor of enlargement and pushing for the entry of Greece, Spain and Portugal with aimed at consolidating democracy in these countries ".
"I remember Sarajevo during the Olympics, Sarajevo after the war and Sarajevo after that; anyone who has been there recognizes the reasons why the region could be in a bad situation again," he said.
He clarified that "there is no postponement on the issue of Macedonia and Albania, these two countries are already on the way to accession".
The Foreign Minister, referring to the general initiatives of the Austrian Presidency in the field of foreign affairs, noted the relations with Russia and Iran, including in the context of the conflict in Syria. He clarified, of course, that he refers to assisting the work of the High Representative and to division of labor, distribution of burden and not to substitution of the role of F. Mogherini.
Regarding immigration and especially the agreement on the establishment of closed centers for the reception and processing of immigrant applications, the Minister said she was surprised that no one consulted her. Regarding the principle of asylum application based on the ground, he said: "I remember a time when the asylum application based on the ground, could be made in the territory of an embassy - now for 20 years this is not possible", he said . "Instead of putting people crossing the Mediterranean, we need to bring the principles and structures of asylum closer to these people." He stressed that none of those who have serious problems in their countries and are persecuted, such as journalists, cartoonists, photographers, lawyers, dissidents and others, do not even have the opportunity to apply "and pay dearly". "The tools created in the 80s do not work today," he said. "I have spoken to many Syrians who are outraged by Palestinians and Jordanians trying to cross into the EU as Syrians," he said.
