M. Varvitsiotis: Austrian support for the vaccination certificate and threat of sanctions against Turkey
Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ meeting in Vienna with Austria’s Federal Minister for the EU, Karoline Edtstadler, focused on the EU’s vaccination policy and the Greek proposal for a vaccination certificate, the migration and asylum issues, EU-Turkey relations, the European perspective of the Western Balkans, and the Conference on the Future of Europe.
“Austria and Greece share common views and common values regarding Europe. We are in coordination at the highest level for a better European future of growth and security,” Mr. Varvitsiotis said during the joint press conference.
Regarding the Prime Minister’s proposal for the European vaccination certificate, the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that “it is important, given that we have a European vaccination plan, for us to also have a European vaccination certificate,” adding that there is Austrian support on this issue.
Mr. Varvitsiotis, having thanked the Austrian Minister for her country’s multifaceted support to Greece on the migration issue, underscored the need for a common European response, a new asylum and migration policy based on three fundamental principles: firstly the guarding of the common European borders; secondly, the establishment of an open and transparent asylum system with clear rules on who is eligible for asylum and who is not; and thirdly, a streamlined procedure for speedy repatriation of asylum seekers who are found to be ineligible. In this context, he underlined that “the EU must use its power to conclude agreements with third countries”. He also made it clear that Greece, as a maritime nation, is particularly sensitive the protection of human life at sea.
Regarding the EU-Turkey relations, Mr. Varvitsiotis stated that it is important, on the one hand, for Turkey to understand that Europe functions based on rules and, on the other hand, for Europe to send a message that sanctions will be imposed if escalation or tension continues. “And the threat of sanctions must be serious and credible in order to deter Turkey from reopening this cycle of escalation and tension,” he stressed.
In statements to AMNA, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted, among other things, that “Austria has become a very important partner for Greece, decisively supporting Greece’s positions on Turkey.” He also highlighted that the matter of sanctions is high on the agenda between Greece, Austria and France.
Following the meeting, Mr. Varvitsiotis and his counterpart visited one of Austria’s many Covid-19 testing centres, where a large number of tests are carried out every day.
February 11, 2021