Austria’s foreign minister, Alexander Schallenberg said that Russia’s attack on Ukraine could awaken the European Union in regards to the accession process.

Schallenberg gave a statement earlier today after his meeting with Kosovo’s foreign minister Donika Gervalla, with whom he discussed the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Concerning this process, the Austrian diplomat said that there should be any doubt that this process must end in mutual recognition.

Austria’s FM also stated that Russia can become a cause for concern and destabilize the region, which is why according to him, Europe should be more attentive.

“We should keep in mind that Moscow has the possibility to destabilize the entire region. With a single provocation they can create concerns that could further destabilize the entire region and this is definitely a cause for alarm. We believe that Russia’s attack against Ukraine is truly a wakeup call that should awaken the European Union in terms of their aim of EU accession as this has never before been more important than now and the promise made 19 years ago in Thessaloniki – it’s now more important than ever to keep this promise and put it to practice. Therefore, negotiations for both North Macedonia and Albania should be opened but, at the same time, Kosovo’s visa regime should also be lifted. You are the only country that is part of the program but still hasn’t gone ahead with visa liberalization and I will naturally express these concerns during the upcoming Summit,” – said the Austrian FM Alexander Schallenberg.

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