AUSTRIA, June 19 - On 20 June 2022, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg joined his EU counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. The main topics for the meeting of EU foreign ministers were the food shortage resulting from the Russian war of aggression and the upcoming decision on the EU candidate status of Ukraine and Moldova. During the council meeting, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg also had an opportunity to talk with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. 

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed the EU candidate country status for Ukraine as a way to send a clear signal to the East. However, he strongly urged that the same signals also be sent towards the Western Balkans. In particular, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg warned during the council meeting about the destabilisation potential that Russia poses in the Western Balkans. The foreign minister was able to get a glimpse of the tense situation for himself during his trip last week to Serbia and Kosovo. Thus, Austria will call for a general discussion during the next EU summit about the European neighbouring countries, with special attention to the Western Balkan states. 

We cannot afford to have geostrategic tunnel vision. We have a responsibility not only towards our partners in Ukraine and Moldova, but also towards the Western Balkan states,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg during the EU council meeting.  

In addition to the Russian war of aggression’s effects on the Western Balkans, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg also considered its impact beyond Europe. Due to the Russian war of aggression, energy and food prices are currently rising worldwide. During his recent trips to India, Pakistan and the Middle East, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg found that the Russian narrative – claiming that EU sanctions are responsible for the price increases – is widespread. In response, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called for awareness-raising and concrete support measures for the affected countries.

Yes, we have won the information war in Europe, but not in other parts of the world,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Other topics discussed by the Council were the tense political situation in the Horn of Africa as well as EU relations with Egypt.