In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English’s Riz Khan, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg discussed several pressing international issues, focusing on the Israel-Palestine conflict and Austria’s foreign relations.
On Austria withdrawing funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following allegations of involvement by some UNRWA representatives in attacks against Israel, Schallenberg clarified that this was a temporary suspension of payments pending investigations, not a complete withdrawal of funding.
He emphasized the importance of the UN’s impartiality and the need for thorough investigations to maintain trust, especially in the Middle East.
“If there are very serious allegations that members of UNWRA were part of the horrendous attacks of seven October, then the least we have to do is to ask for immediate and full investigation,” he told Al Arabiya English.
Schallenberg also clarified that while funding to UNRWA was suspended, Austria increased its overall humanitarian aid, collaborating with organizations like the Red Cross and the World Food Programme. This increase in aid reflects Austria’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
European stance on Israel-Palestine conflict
Regarding the broader implications for European countries’ stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Schallenberg highlighted the balance between supporting free speech and preventing incitement to violence. He noted that slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine has to be free” can be perceived as calls for the destruction of Israel, which is unacceptable. Schallenberg reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to a two-state solution as the only viable path to peace in the region.
“The two-state solution and normalization are the only game in town,” the Austrian foreign minister said. “Neither the Israelis or the Palestinians will somehow vanish into thin air, and we have to find urgently a political process which can lead to Palestinians and Israelis living in security and peace side by side.”
Austria’s neutrality in Russia-Ukraine conflict
The conversation then shifted to Austria’s neutrality, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Schallenberg reiterated Austria’s strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law. He also said this war is not the same as the situation with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the dynamics are different, involving a land dispute and longstanding geopolitical tensions.
“What happened on the 7th of October, and I very vividly remember when our services here in Vienna called me and asked me, ‘Minister, how good are your nerves?’ And I luckily said they’re good. And then I got videos and photographs sent to me, which I haven’t seen since ISIS/Daesh,” he said. “I mean, that’s pure terror. This is a massacre that has nothing to do with the war as we see it in Europe where one sovereign country simply invades another.”
Austria’s dependence on Russian gas
Addressing Austria’s dependence on Russian gas, Schallenberg acknowledged the criticism but highlighted Austria’s efforts to become independent of Russian energy by 2027. He pointed out the challenges faced by landlocked countries in diversifying energy sources and emphasized Austria’s commitment to renewable energy.
“As a government, we made it very clear that we want to become independent of Russian gas. And for the latest, by 2027. We have decreased it from 80, a dependency from 80 percent of our gas into 50 percent. But we are a landlocked country in the center of the European continent, and luckily we are capable of producing outside of 80 percent of our electricity with renewable means,” the foreign minister said.
Toward the end of the interview, Schallenberg expressed concerns about global security, particularly the threat of nuclear conflict and the rise of autonomous weapons systems. He stressed Austria’s role in international efforts to address these challenges and promote a safer world.
‘Neglect other places on the planet’
Schallenberg then shared his apprehensions about the world’s ability to focus on multiple crises simultaneously. He warned against being consumed by one crisis to the neglect of others, highlighting the importance of global vigilance in addressing various security threats.
“We have many places on the planet where crisis moments could erupt at any moment, and we have to be extremely attentive not to give the impression that we are fully absorbed in only the one crisis, and that we neglect other places on this planet.”
