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Brussels – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) welcomes the European Commission’s proposals to mobilize more money for Europe’s defense capability. In a discussion with the APA in Brussels on the occasion of her first foreign trip in her office, she reaffirmed the new federal government’s commitment to neutrality at the beginning of March. Europe must appear confident and united, she demanded. The security of Ukraine and Europe cannot be negotiated without this.
Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that “everything must be done” to “strengthen Europe’s autonomy”. This “unfortunately means defense capability in times like these”, which is why she welcomes the European Commission’s proposal. They want to mobilize 800 billion euros to become more independent from third parties like the USA and to be prepared for new threats. The topic was also at the top of the agenda of the EU special summit in Brussels.
“Neutrality clearly applies to us”
“One has to look at what that concretely means in detail”, continued the Foreign Minister. It is “important for her that this also goes in the direction of joint procurement and interoperability”. And “neutrality, which the constitution stipulates, clearly applies to us. But one has nothing to do with the other”, emphasized the liberal politician.
For Meinl-Reisinger it is certain: “Austria stands in solidarity with Ukraine.” On Bluesky, she shared on Wednesday that she had spoken with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha. She did not want to say anything about a possible trip to Ukraine in the APA discussion. The security of Ukraine cannot be negotiated over the heads of Ukraine, just as the security and future of Europe cannot be negotiated without Europe at the table, the liberal politician is convinced.
She “believes that in view of the geopolitical situation, it is necessary for Europe to act, to stand on its own feet and to act confidently”. Because in Ukraine, European security is also being decided, and “that is why we, especially from Austria, are pressing for a just and sustainable peace”. In response to a question about the activities of US President Donald Trump and his administration and their change of course in favor of Russia on the Ukraine issue, she said these were “decisive days”.
Appeal for unity
But: “Europe can position itself more strongly if it wants to. We are a rich continent, we are a strong continent, more people live here than in the USA.” For the Foreign Minister “self-confidence is needed”. However, the strength of Europe for Meinl-Reisinger also lies mainly in unity. She therefore appeals to preserve this unity: “We should not let ourselves be divided, because then ultimately the enemies of Europe will have won too.”
“Strength of law and not right of the stronger”
For Austria it must be clear, “that we are always better off when the strength of law applies and not the right of the stronger”, said Meinl-Reisinger. In these times it seems “the rule-based world order is giving way to a power-based world order, and that is not in our interest”. She underlined the importance of transatlantic relations; but Europe and Austria have “especially in the Ukraine question different interests than the USA, and also the interest that multilateralism is strengthened rather than weakened”. “We are better off when we have a seat at the negotiating table, rather than having decisions made over our heads with economic or military power”, she emphasizes. She sees it as her “task to ensure that this strength, especially Europe’s, is established”.
During her first foreign trip as Foreign Minister, Meinl-Reisinger met with EU Foreign Representative Kaja Kallas and EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. (07.03.2025)