AUSTRIA, November 13 - On 14 November, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with his counterparts from the EU member states for the Foreign Affairs Council. The meeting focussed on discussions about the situation in Iran, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and the Western Balkans. An informal working breakfast with Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya took place prior of the Council meeting. 

In response to the ongoing violence against demonstrators in Iran, the EU foreign ministers approved new listings in the framework of the sanctions regime against Iran. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed support for the sanctions, and called for further measures by the Human Rights Council as well as measures relating to the provision of drones to Russia. 

The Iranian regime needs to be aware that the entire world is watching, and that there will be consequences. The way the Iranian government treats its own people is an admission of failure and completely unacceptable – and the European Union will not stand idly by, 

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, stating the EU’s position clearly. 

Another major topic of discussion was the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joining the conversation remotely at the start of the meeting. The Council agreed on a series of additional measures to support Ukraine and to document and prosecute war crimes. Alexander Schallenberg affirmed that Austria would continue to support measures that create accountability for war crimes and other serious crimes committed during the war of aggression.

We are talking about war crimes here, crimes against humanity that must be investigated. There can be no legal impunity for the infamies committed in Ukraine. We will actively support the work of the Human Rights Council’s International Investigation Commission, which is based in Vienna, and the work of the International Criminal Court,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

During the discussion, the Foreign Minister also emphasised that diplomatic channels with Russia could not be completely cut off.

Ultimately it will be up to Ukraine, to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, to determine the time and the circumstances under which peace negotiations can be held,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg regarding potential peace negotiations. 

The members shared their opinions about relations between the EU and the Western Balkans in light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg once again emphasised that the Western Balkan states must be offered credible EU accession prospects. Increased EU engagement in the Western Balkans was needed, he said, particularly in light of the war of aggression. In this regard, enhanced collaboration prior to accession, for instance in the areas of energy and migration, should be an objective.

The Great Lakes region was also on the agenda. In particular, members discussed the precarious security situation and humanitarian crises in this region of Africa. The Council also gathered findings on the subject of “Women, Peace and Security”.

Another topic was the role of Belarus in the Russian war of aggression, along with the oppression of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces within the country. During breakfast with Belarussian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya before the Council meeting, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg once again expressed his support for the Belarussian opposition. At the same time, he warned the Belarussian regime against supporting Russia in the war of aggression.