Austria, Luxembourg Agree on Need for Continued EU Support for Ukraine

On Thursday 20 October 2022, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, paid a working visit to Vienna, Austria.

Minister Asselborn met with his Austrian counterpart, the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, for a working meeting. The two ministers noted that Luxembourg and Austria maintain close bilateral relations, particularly in the economic, academic and cultural fields.

In addition to bilateral relations, the two ministers discussed the latest European and international developments, including the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the European Union's (EU) response to it. The ministers notably reiterated the importance of maintaining the unity and solidarity of the EU in the face of this aggression and the need to continue EU support for Ukraine. With regard to European issues, the ministers exchanged views on energy security, the enlargement process and the situation of the rule of law within the EU.

Minister Asselborn also had an interview with the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, which provided an opportunity to take stock of the close ties maintained between Luxembourg and the city of Vienna, which counts many Luxembourg nationals and students among its residents.

Finally, Minister Asselborn was invited to take part, together with the former Federal President of Austria, Heinz Fischer, and Mayor Michael Ludwig, in a round table on the future of Europe. This round table, followed by a discussion with the public, made it possible to have an in-depth exchange of views on European and international current events. The participants notably agreed on the need for the EU to remain united and faithful to its values ​​in its response to the multiple challenges it is currently facing.