AUSTRIA, December 2 - Today, 3 December 2022, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was at Château Béla in Slovakia to meet with his counterpart from Slovakia, Rastislav Káčer, and from the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, in the “Slavkov 3” format. The discussion taking place in the margins of the GLOBSEC Forum focussed on neighbourly collaboration, the effects of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and illegal migration to Europe.

The crises of the last few years have demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the three neighbouring countries. During the pandemic, thanks to close coordination, the Slavkov 3 were able to maintain tourist travel across their shared borders. For nearly ten months now, the Russian war of aggression – a new challenge – has demanded the undivided attention of these three Central European states. In addition to addressing the effects of the war of aggression, the foreign ministers also discussed possible prospects for a future peace agreement.

We will support any solution that is acceptable for Ukraine that leads to peace and long-term stability. I remain convinced that a permanent solution can only be reached at the negotiation table. It will be up to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people to determine the circumstances and configuration of any such solution,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

The three foreign ministers once again strongly condemned the repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, especially its energy and food supply, and highlighted the importance of a unified approach to Russia by the EU member states. This is especially critical in terms of energy policy, since the Russian president continues to use cold weather and hunger as weapons to break down Ukrainian resistance and to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its allies.

Another central discussion topic for the three foreign ministers was the recent rapid increase in migration to Europe. Foreign Minister Schallenberg noted that temporary control points had become necessary at the interior borders between Austria and Slovakia. That fact alone, he said, demonstrated that the Schengen system, in its current form, had failed. Moreover, the European Commission is concentrating solely on the central Mediterranean route, while illegal migration through the Balkans has increased dramatically.

We had around 100,000 applications for asylum this year. In September and October, Austria had the highest number per capita of any EU member state. Of the 100,000 illegal migrants arriving in Austria, around 75,000 were not registered in any other Schengen country or an associated state. That means 3 out of 4 people travelled through one or more secure countries without being registered. This should be a wake-up call for Europe!

said Foreign Minister Schallenberg, emphasising the disproportionate burden that Austria bears.

During the post-meeting press conference, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg also encouraged involving the Western Balkan states more closely in the EU’s common approach and gradually integrating them into the EU. Europe must make a stand, he said, and cannot leave the region open to other actors.

The Slavkov format, named after the city where the agreement was signed in 2015, is a cooperation format between Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The countries have regular exchanges at every political level.