Meinl-Reisinger praises the EU with Trump-Diepresse.com

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) has in the ORF-« Press hour » the reaction of the European Commission to the announcement of tariffs by US President Donald Trump. The EU I made a specific offer for a free trade zone for industrial products, but also showed strength. « As an EU, we can speak to one voice and react to Trump, » said Meinl-Reisinger.

Trump could not pick up individual EU countries for negotiations, which is good, but in the end this was « a loose-free situation » for everyone, the Foreign Minister emphasized. Somehow it seems to her as if two semi -strong drives onto a cliff, and nobody dares to brake out of fear of standing as a loser first. In this respect, the EU’s procedure is to rely on prudence, to leave all negotiating channels open, but on the other hand to show strength through unity.

« We want contracts, we want to deal »

In the federal government, there is great agreement that this new geopolitical situation of many adjustments needs, Meinl-Reisinger also said. « We want contracts, we want to deal, » the Foreign Minister assured her support for the controversial trade agreement with the South American Mercosur-States.

For example, the Indian finance minister was on discussions in Vienna last week, Meinl-Reisinger referred to the fact that there was currently also being negotiated between the EU and India. « I believe that the Austrians have understood that the situation is now different, » said the Foreign Minister, who also sees a lot of potential for growth in the European internal market.

« Russia is a threat to Europe »

Meinl-Reisinger wants to stick to the historically grown partnership with the USA. You would « pour out the child with the bathing » if one would prematurely give up the partnership with the USA. It is clear that Europe had to strengthen its defense ability, but the United States will also be available to Trump, said Meinl-Reisinger.

« Russia is a threat to Europe, » stated the Foreign Minister, since it has been waging a war on European soil violating war on European soil for years, attempts to sabotage European democracies, as well as hacker attacks and sabotage attacks on Unterseeic data cables. In any case, Austria makes its « active contribution to European resilience ». A posting of Austrian soldiers to Ukraine could only U.N.-Mandat, according to Meinl-Reisinger, does not give this at the expense of Austrian engagement at the Western Balkans.

Criticism of the FPÖ

The FPÖ’s foreign policy spokeswoman, Susanne Fürst, accused Meinl-Reisinger in a broadcast of delivering nothing to be tangible in terms of foreign policy. Instead of standing up for peace, diplomacy and an independent Austrian defense policy, the Foreign Minister demands nothing more than an unconditional follow -up to Brussels and an EU defense union with a military contribution to Austria in this. (APA)

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