Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria condemns visit by Austrian politicians to the Crimea
Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria Olexander Scherba stated that the Austrian politicians who visited the ‘Friends of Crimea’ Forum, which was organized by Russian authorities, violated the neutrality of Austria and the decisions of the European Union, reported Krym.Realii.
"While Renat Paralamov spoke about the untold suffering that he had to go through, Linz Deputy Mayor Detlef Wimmer and newly-elected Member of Parliament Hans-Jörg Jenewein laid out their belongings in the luxury rooms of the Yalta Hotel, where they arrived to witness support for the Russian annexation of the Crimea”, the diplomat noted.
In his opinion, Austrian politicians should be guided by the obligations of their country, and not just their own moral criteria.
"In the case of Austria, this [obligation] is, perhaps, neutrality and the EU's decision. In my opinion, Messrs. Wimmer and Jenewein have violated both the first and the second. If you are in favor of ‘recognizing the legitimate nature’ of the Crimean Anschluss, this contradicts not only European politics, but also the Austrian policy of neutrality," Shcherba added.
The ‘Friends of the Crimea’ Forum was held in Yalta on November 6-8.
Earlier, the leader of the Austrian conservatives, Sebastian Kurz, whose party won the last parliamentary elections, promised to preserve Austria’s pro-European course.