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Foreign Policy Report 2009 Report Policy Foreign 2009 Report by the Federal Minister for Report by the Federal Minister For Austria and the World European Union: Financial Crisis – Enlargement – Treaty of Lisbon – European Information Activities – EU Policies – External Relations Austria as a Member of the United Nations Security Council Neighbourhood Policy, Regional Partnership, Cooperation in the Danube Region and in the Black Sea Region, South Eastern Europe, Cooperation in the Mediterranean Region The Situation in Crisis Regions The Consular Dimension of Foreign Policy Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Human Rights, Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue The Humanitarian Dimension in International Relations Austrian Development Cooperation Global Aspects of Austrian Foreign Policy, Austria in International Organisations Global Disarmament International Economic Policy and Global Sustainability Policy The Austrian Foreign Service International Cultural Policy Public Diplomacy Foreign Policy Report 2009 Report Policy Foreign 2009 Report by the Federal Minister for Report by the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs 2009 European and International Affairs Umschlag_2009.indd 1 15.12.2010 12:02:07  Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs Minoritenplatz 8 A-1014 Vienna Tel: During office hours on work days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 0 50 11 50-0 / international: +43 50 11 50-0 or: (01) 90 115-0 / int.: +43 1 90 115-0 For general information: 0800 234 888 (toll free number, cannot be dialled from outside Austria) Fax: 0 50 11 59-0 / international: +43 50 11 59-0 or: (01) 904 20 16-0 / international: +43 1 904 20 16-0 E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bmeia.gv.at Citizens’ Help Desk In case of emergency abroad the Citizens’ Help Desk can be reached 24 hours a day: Tel: 0 50 11 50-4411 / international: +43 50 11 50-4411 or: (01) 90 115-4411 / international: +43 1 90 115-4411 Fax: 0 50 11 59-4411 / international: +43 50 11 59-4411 or: 0 50 11 59-245 / international: +43 50 11 59-245 or: (01) 904 20 16-245 / international: +43 1 904 20 16-245 E-Mail: [email protected] Assistance services available to Austrian citizens abroad are detailed on the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs at www.bmeia.gv.at under “Service”. Umschlag_2009.indd 2 15.12.2010 12:02:07  Foreign Policy Report 2009 Report by the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs  Proprietor and Publisher: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs A-1014 Vienna, Minoritenplatz 8 Austria Edited and Coordinated by: Christoph Weidinger English translation by: Sabine Hübler Printed by: Manz Crossmedia GmbH & Co KG A-1051 Vienna, Stolberggasse 26 Austria The German original is available at: www.bmeia.gv.at or in printed form in the Information Management, Documentation and Knowledge Management Department at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs Foreword In the foreign policy sphere, the year 2009 was marked by the manifold tasks and activities the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs performs in the service of our country. Particular highlights included Austria’s proactive and successful work as a member of the United Nations Security Council, the 30th anniversary of Vienna as one of the UN head- quarters as well as Austria’s positive track record after 15 years of European Union membership. We succeeded in initiating a number of important activi- ties in regions that have traditionally been of particular concern to Austria – the Western Balkans and the Danube region. Furthermore, we successfully set course towards a region that will figure very prominently on Austria’s foreign policy agenda over the next few years – the Black Sea region with its unique potential for the future. The events marking the year 2009 have made it very clear again: Austria’s contribution to the world is both greatly respected and in high demand. Filled with self-confidence by this interna- tional recognition we may therefore continue to actively shape the European and foreign policy that will lead Austria through the 21st century. Austria’s election as a non-permanent member to the United Nations Security Council for the period 2009/2010 – the third after 1973/74 and 1991/92 – was an expression of confidence in our long-standing and broadly appreciated commitment within the United Nations. In this most important forum for international peace and security, Austria assumes responsibility as a member of the international community. Since the very beginning of its membership of the UN Security Council, Austria has made the rule of law a focus of its work. In this context, Austria has attached special priority to improving the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Indeed, our ambitious approach in this respect has born fruit. The unanimous adoption of the relevant Security Council resolution 1894 during Austria’s Presidency of the Security Council in November 2009 means that we have already achieved very tangible and encouraging progress towards reaching this objective. Among further topics that rank high on the agenda of our work within the Security Council is our active commitment to ensuring protection and respect for human rights and humanitarian international law, strengthening the role of women in peace initiatives, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruc- tion as well as fostering intercultural and interfaith dialogue. The importance Austrian foreign policy attaches to the United Nations was clearly demonstrated by the celebrations hosted in honour of the 30th anni- V Foreword versary of Vienna as one of the UN headquarters. The participation of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in these festivities testified to the recognition Vienna as the host city and Austria’s long-standing work enjoy within the United Nations. Over the past 30 years, Austria has succeeded in consolidating and further strengthening its role as UN headquarters and competence centre for security issues. The tasks of the Vienna-based UN organisations and agencies, including the United Nations Industrial Devel- opment Organisation (UNIDO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have further gained in importance. Vienna has evolved into an impor- tant lynchpin in the international security architecture, enjoying an excel- lent reputation as a venue for international dialogue. It is thus an important concern of mine to ensure that Vienna will not only retain its standing as an international hub but will further enhance and expand its role in this regard. One month before the 15th anniversary of Austria’s accession to the Euro- pean Union, the Treaty of Lisbon came into force on 1 December. This EU Reform Treaty constitutes a sound and sustainable basis for the European Union’s future work. Among the amendments brought about by the Treaty, those relating to foreign policy are of particular significance. The enhanced role of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the establishment of the European External Action Service will thus enable us to speak more frequently with one European voice on the international stage. Notwithstanding such modifications, the Union’s common policy does not strive to take the place of its Member States’ individual foreign policies but rather aims to act as a meaningful complement. Austria will continue to con- sistently pursue its distinctive foreign and European policy as well as the role it plays in the international sphere. In this context, we strongly support the accelerated approximation of the Western Balkan countries to the EU. Together with my Romanian counterpart I initiated an EU Strategy for the Danube Region at the beginning of 2009, which will enable us to work even more closely with our neighbours in this important region. In the meantime, this Austro-Romanian initiative has developed into an EU core project. Par- ticularly for us Austrians, the Danube region is a potential engine for growth, with the River Danube as our connecting link. The Danube is not only sym- bolic of Europe growing together, but is also part of our European identity. A further priority I will be adding to our active neighbourhood policy agenda is the Black Sea Region. The huge potential for the future this region has to offer Europe in terms of economic development, human resources and cul- ture must be used in a targeted manner to the benefit of all. Especially during this time of economic crisis, Austrians sense how impor- tant it is to be firmly embedded in a strong community that has the ability to take action. At the same time, a lingering feeling of scepticism towards the EU is still perceptible in Austria and criticism has been voiced about develop- ments within the EU. With this in mind, I seek to actively engage in targeted, VI Foreword direct contact and face to face discussions with as many citizens as possible. My “EU Listening and Dialogue Tour”, which took me across the Austrian federal provinces, has clearly shown that direct and honest dialogue is the most effective means of countering EU scepticism. Based on what I heard and learned during these discussions and meetings, I put together a package of measures aimed at encouraging dialogue on Europe within Austria. On Europe Day 2009, I presented this package, which will form the basis for fur- ther efforts in this area, to the Federal Government. In order to consistently maintain this momentum of dialogue on Europe in Austria, I have embarked on my current “EU Dialogue Tour” that is again taking me through the federal provinces. In 2009, Austria’s international cultural policy was dominated by events marking the historical turning point of 1989. Under the heading of “Europe 1989 – 2009. Divided – Reunited: Start into a New Europe”, we launched an initiative to illustrate the importance of this year of historic changes in shaping our European identity as well as its effects on our self-image and self-confidence as Europeans.
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