Schallenberg: "Europe must speak more clearly"

VOL.AT - Vorarlberg Online Schallenberg: "Europe must speak more clearly" 5 hours • 5 minutes reading time In the face of new challenges, Europe must show strength. This is what the outgoing Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg demanded in an APA farewell interview. "The biggest difficulty that currently exists in the relationship between the USA and Europe is our completely misguided self-perception," diagnosed Schallenberg in view of the recently "greater" tone from Washington. It is much more necessary to "take the available levers into our hands." There are enough global crisis areas. Europe must make one thing clear to US President Donald Trump, who recently caused a stir by moving closer to Russia in the Ukraine war or by speaking harshly towards the EU: "It's not just us who need the USA, the USA needs us too." Europe will probably now have to "speak more clearly," speculated Schallenberg. But it must under no circumstances turn its back on transatlantic relations. "We are still a family of values," argued Schallenberg, who is also leaving the political stage as interim chancellor of the ÖVP. "We have the same model of life. But that does not rule out further deepening relations with countries such as India, South Korea or Japan." "Even under Trump, the USA cannot solve every global crisis on its own" Even under President Trump, the USA will "not be able to solve every global crisis on its own," argued Schallenberg, "and as the European Union we are certainly its closest partner." While it is sometimes important to "take a very clear and self-confident position," Europe must not "give indignation or black-and-white thinking" because of every statement from the USA. It must also be acknowledged that US Vice President J.D. Vance was also "right on his own points, for example on migration policy" in his much-criticized speech at the Munich Security Conference. Even with certain statements by Trump, it is appropriate "that we do not remain too much in this social media bubble instant assessment," demanded the ÖVP minister. It is important to think more long-term. "I would basically like a little more cool head and a little less emotionality." Trump is constantly trying to stir things up, Schallenberg speculated: "The American president throws a stone into the pond every day and sees how the waves make it. And everyone reacts to it. But that does not mean that it will then be implemented." Trump's "Riviera plans" for Gaza Strip should not be taken seriously For example, the plans expressed by Trump to resettle the Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and build a "Riviera of the Middle East" there should not be taken seriously. "No serious person really considers deporting two million people." That is certainly not conceivable with Europe. "The Riviera can be done, but as a Palestinian Riviera." The Middle East conflict is unfortunately already taking on the characteristics of a "hundred-year war," said Schallenberg, and he called on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides to take responsibility: "Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians will disappear into thin air." But as long as "well-known forces on both sides" believe this, there can be no peace. However, positive movements can also be observed in the Middle East, he analyzed: "It is extremely interesting how the Gulf states now have a completely different approach and show much more ownership than they did two years ago." Trust in "checks and balances" in the USA With regard to various controversial official actions by the Trump administration, Schallenberg continues to trust in the system of "checks and balances" - i.e. the separation of state powers - in the USA. "I hear that there are also legal disputes. I have great faith in democracy and the strength of the institutions in the United States, even if the media portrays it differently. They are not 100 percent undermined." But one thing must not be forgotten: "The people voted for this too. The Americans wanted change and as a democrat you have to say: 'Okay, then that's how it is.'" If the goal is overshot, "then there will have to be corrections anyway." EU must put aside self-doubt But the European Union, for example, must also put aside unnecessary self-doubt: "We always see the 15 percent of problems and not the 85 percent that work." This is all the more important because the greatest danger comes from Russia. In the form of cyberattacks or increasing online influence via "bots and trolls". This suggests the following: "You are weak, democracies can no longer get it together, you are on the decline, you can no longer do it."