NATO praises Austrian commitment to broad security agenda
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Vienna on 30 June 2011 and met with President Heinz Fischer, with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger and with Minister of Defence Norbert Darabos.
In their bilateral meetings, they discussed the partnership between NATO and Austria, the situation in the Western Balkans and the NATO-led operations in Libya and Afghanistan.
In a joint press conference with the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mr. Rasmussen stressed that NATO considers Austria a very valuable and important partner. He expressed strong appreciation for Austria’s "substantial contribution to the NATO-led mission in Kosovo". "We are pleased to see that our operation in Kosovo has been a great success", he said.
Mr. Rasmussen also praised Austria for its constructive role in the western Balkans and its firm commitment to the region. The Secretary General underlined that his vision is to see all countries from the Western Balkans integrated in Euro-Atlantic structures, if they so wish and if they fulfil the necessary criteria.
On Libya, the NATO Secretary General highlighted that the NATO operation is very clear and it is in strong conformity with the un mandate.
"Within that mandate we are successfully enforcing the No-Fly zone, the arms embargo and the protection of the Libyan population", he concluded.